Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Jacory Croskey-MerrittWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Aaron Jones over Jacory Croskey-Merritt in 2026.

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 PPG in 2025 to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0, a 0.7 point per game edge. Jones posted that edge in only 12 games, so the per-game ceiling is real but watch his availability. Both land in Tier 6 at the position, so this is closer than the raw gap suggests.

The Bottom Line

This one is genuinely close. Aaron Jones edges Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 0.7 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Aaron Jones goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBMinnesota Vikings#34PPG LEADER

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBWashington Commanders#40

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

8.7 PPG8.0 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 6 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 6 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 36%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

Aaron Jones (8.7 PPG) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.0 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Aaron Jones played 12 games for the Minnesota Vikings; Jacory Croskey-Merritt suited up 17 times for the Washington Commanders.

A 0.7-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Jacory Croskey-Merritt posted 805 and 8. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Aaron Jones sits Week 6 while Jacory Croskey-Merritt is off Week 7. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. That durability gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt is 6 years younger than Aaron Jones (25 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	8.0
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	136
Rushing Yards	548	805
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	47.4
Rushing TDs	2	8
Receptions	28	9
Receiving Yards	199	68
Targets	41	13
Total TDs	3	8
Age	31	25
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Aaron Jones holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.7 points per game. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Aaron Jones and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Jacory Croskey-Merritt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 0.7 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.