Adam Peters only had five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft to find prospects capable of making a significant difference. One analyst believes the Washington Commanders found exactly that with a late-round gem.
The Commanders spent their final pick at No. 245 overall on running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. His route to the NFL wasn't easy, but Peters believes he's got something to offer after spending considerable time with the player during Washington's thorough pre-draft investigations.
Field Yates believes Commanders have another draft gem in Jacory Croskey-Merritt
This was a sentiment echoed by Field Yates of ESPN. The analyst was blown away by the value Washington received so late in the draft process with Croskey-Merritt. He also thinks there is something to mold en route to a larger-than-expected contribution.
[Jacory] Croskey-Merritt had a winding college path that started at Alabama State and ended at Arizona, though eligibility issues limited him to only 13 rushes for the Wildcats in 2024. He has a very intriguing combination of size, speed and overall footwork, but he must develop his instincts and vision. He's a moldable player for the Commanders to develop.Field Yates
Croskey-Merritt's draft stock plummeted after the NCAA made him miss all but one game of the 2024 season due to eligibility issues. Before that, he was a smooth runner at both Alabama State and New Mexico before transferring to Arizona. He's got a big chip on his shoulder as a result and confirmed that the Commanders will get nothing but maximum effort as he goes in search of immediate involvement.
There is an opportunity for Croskey-Merritt to propel himself up the running back depth chart immediately. The Commanders' ground game regressed last season. All four major contributors are getting another shot, but the incoming rookie has the athletic profile to shake things up considerably if some potential complications are worked out by the coaching staff.
It isn't costing the Commanders much to find out one way or another. Croskey-Merritt seems confident that he's got the tools needed to carve out a role for himself. Peters isn't in the business of wasting draft picks, so one would expect he agrees with this notion.
Brushing Croskey-Merritt off as a late-round afterthought with no chance of becoming an important piece of the puzzle would be foolish. He's got much grander ambitions than that, and there's a growing belief around the media that Washington might have pulled off another major draft heist.
This is a big confidence boost for the player. Proving it in a high-stakes environment where professionals are fighting to preserve or enhance their statuses is something else entirely.
It'll be something to monitor closely over the summer. There is no doubt about that whatsoever.
