The NFL preseason is nearing its conclusion, and fantasy football managers are evaluating the Washington Commanders’ backfield in the wake of Brian Robinson Jr.’s departure. With Robinson now in San Francisco, the focus turns to veteran Austin Ekeler and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Both offer vastly different fantasy profiles and appeal to different draft strategies. Which back deserves your investment as you finalize your rosters?

Austin Ekeler: Proven Floor With Limited Upside

At 30, Ekeler has gracefully embraced his evolving role in the Commanders’ offense. No longer the 20+ touch workhorse he was during his peak Los Angeles Chargers years, Ekeler has settled comfortably into Washington’s passing-down specialist role.

The veteran’s fantasy appeal hinges entirely on his receiving work, where he remains one of the most reliable backs in the league with a career 79.6% catch rate and multiple 70+ reception seasons under his belt.

Training camp reports confirm Ekeler works almost exclusively on third downs and two-minute drills, with minimal involvement in early-down packages. While this significantly limits his ceiling, it provides a stable floor in PPR formats. Ekeler has openly embraced this reduced workload, understanding his value comes from precision rather than volume at this stage of his career.

Ekeler’s fantasy profile is straightforward: expect 40-50 receptions, minimal rushing volume, and occasional red-zone touches when Washington utilizes spread formations. His age and role limitations cap any league-winning upside. Still, his consistency in the receiving game makes him a reliable bench option for managers seeking weekly flex production without significant bust risk.

Austin Ekeler (1) Washington Commanders 24 yards. Embedded video. 0:14. From. NFL September 24, 2024

— NFL Touchdown Videos (@NFLTDsVideos)

Ekeler’s value remains tied to his specialization. If Washington’s offense struggles or Jayden Daniels relies more heavily on designed runs, even this limited role could shrink further.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Rising Hype Meets Uncertain Reality

Croskey-Merritt has become one of the most intriguing late-round targets in fantasy drafts, with his ADP skyrocketing past Ekeler’s following Robinson’s anticipated exit. The seventh-round rookie showed explosive potential in preseason action, including a highlight-reel 27-yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals that showcased his vision and speed.

However, the 24-year-old’s path to fantasy relevance is far from guaranteed. His college profile reveals significant limitations: just seven receptions over his final two seasons, marking him a classic two-down runner with minimal receiving upside.

More concerning, Chris Rodriguez has emerged as a serious threat to share early-down work and monopolize goal-line carries.

Rodriguez’s size advantage makes him the logical choice for these high-leverage situations. If JCM loses these valuable scoring opportunities while remaining limited in the passing game, his fantasy ceiling becomes severely capped despite the preseason hype.

#Commanders JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT aka Bill for the touchdown. Embedded video. 0:16. From. Washington Commanders August 19, 2025

— BSGsports (@BSGsportsmedia)

Still, the rookie offers a legitimate upside if he can secure the lead in an early-down role. His youth, fresh legs, and explosive playmaking ability give him a higher ceiling than Ekeler.

Ekeler vs. Croskey-Merritt: Who Should You Draft?

The choice between Ekeler and Croskey-Merritt depends entirely on your draft strategy and risk tolerance.

Ekeler represents the safe, high-floor PPR option for managers seeking reliability over upside. His role as Washington’s primary receiving back is secure, and his veteran presence ensures consistent involvement regardless of game script. However, his advancing age and limited rushing volume eliminate any path to RB1 production.

As the rookie prefers to be called, Bill offers the classic high-risk, high-reward profile that defines successful late-round picks. His explosive talent and potential lead role create league-winning upside, but the uncertainty surrounding snap distribution and Rodriguez’s threat for goal-line work make him a volatile investment. His rapidly rising ADP may not accurately reflect these risks.

The Verdict:
Draft Ekeler if you need reliable weekly production in PPR formats and can afford to sacrifice upside for consistency. His role is defined and secure, making him preferable for managers who drafted a more volatile team in the earlier rounds.

arget Croskey-Merritt if you’re chasing upside and don’t mind boom-or-bust variance. He’s the swing-for-the-fences pick with legitimate breakout potential, but only if you can stomach the possibility of him being a non-factor if Rodriguez captures the valuable touches.

Given current market prices, Ekeler offers better value for his role security. At the same time, Croskey-Merritt remains the lottery ticket worth taking if you believe in his talent overcoming the obstacles ahead.