Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs Jacory Croskey-MerrittWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.0 PPG to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jacory Croskey-Merritt edges Ezekiel Elliott by 0.8 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, Jacory Croskey-Merritt 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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RBDallas Cowboys#99

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

RBWashington Commanders#40PPG LEADER

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Head to Head

7.2 PPG8.0 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Ezekiel Elliott is producing at 33% of elite pace and Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 36%. That ranking gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Ezekiel Elliott finished the 2025 season at 7.2 PPG over 14 games with the Dallas Cowboys, while Jacory Croskey-Merritt clocked in at 8.0 across 17 appearances for the Washington Commanders. A 0.8-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 yards and 3 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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: Ezekiel Elliott (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Ezekiel Elliott by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 14. 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.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ezekiel Elliott vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	8.0
Games Played	14	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	136
Rushing Yards	452	805
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	47.4
Rushing TDs	3	8
Receptions	18	9
Receiving Yards	128	68
Targets	0	13
Total TDs	3	8
Age	-	25
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jacory Croskey-Merritt holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 8.0 points per game. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott or Jacory Croskey-Merritt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the edge at 8.0 PPG compared to Ezekiel Elliott's 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott and Jacory Croskey-Merritt average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

Do Ezekiel Elliott and Jacory Croskey-Merritt share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Ezekiel Elliott and Jacory Croskey-Merritt share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Jacory Croskey-Merritt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt outscored Ezekiel Elliott by 0.8 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.