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Head to Head

Updated August 16, 2026 from live stats

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Jerome FordWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

It is nearly a coin flip, but lean Jerome Ford over Jacory Croskey-Merritt in 2026.

Jerome Ford (8.4 PPG) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.0) finished 2025 separated by under a point per game. Both play running backs, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

Statistically, Jerome Ford and Jacory Croskey-Merritt are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.4-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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RBWashington Commanders#40

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 7

RBCleveland Browns#99PPG LEADER

Jerome Ford

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

582

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

215

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Jerome Ford

Head to Head

8.0 PPG8.4 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 6 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Jerome Ford: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is producing at 36% of elite pace and Jerome Ford at 38%. That ranking gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Jerome Ford: The Full Breakdown

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (8.0 PPG) and Jerome Ford (8.4 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. Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games for the Washington Commanders; Jerome Ford suited up 15 times for the Cleveland Browns.

A 0.4-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. Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards and 8 touchdowns; Jerome Ford posted 582 and 3. 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: Jacory Croskey-Merritt sits Week 7 while Jerome Ford is off Week 10. 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: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Jerome Ford (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jerome Ford outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jerome Ford's 15. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Jerome Ford: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jacory Croskey-Merritt	Jerome Ford
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.0	8.4
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	136	126
Rushing Yards	805	582
Rush Yds/Game	47.4	38.8
Rushing TDs	8	3
Receptions	9	28
Receiving Yards	68	215
Targets	13	0
Total TDs	8	4
Age	25	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jerome Ford at 8.4 PPG, 0.4 points per game above Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Jerome Ford in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jerome Ford has the edge at 8.4 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jerome Ford average in 2025?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jerome Ford averaged 8.4 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jerome Ford's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 7, and Jerome Ford (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Jerome Ford a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jerome Ford outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 0.4 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.