RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WAS (29 Viewers)

[sushinsky4tsar]

Congrats to everyone that hit in rookie drafts with normal schedules.

There are real drawbacks to following this year-round and reading a ton of articles by analysts and then drafting in August. There just are. That said, drafting a week after the NFL Draft has its own knowledge limitations. I think you're always going to but up against a knowledge problem. They're just different types.

I can't really say who you should pass on or not. I do note that I'm noticing that people seem worried they'll overdraft him and part of it seems motivated by this industry and the "guppy" tag. The people using the guppy tag aren't starting these threads in March and arguing with people like me in good faith in April. I know who is making these comments, and I can assure you they fail miserably at getting the respect they crave by doing so. It's as Mav and Goose say to the civvy airwoman . . . their experience of themselves is . . . inverted. Ignore them. Even the guys in the industry. Have caution, but pick your team.

I can tell you that I had James Robinson on my roster when he broke, but it was because I took an orphan and my roster sucked. If it was stacked, I never would have added him for a buck through waivers two weeks before they cut Fournette. Even in my dynasty infancy, I knew that was a joke and that the planets aligned. It was heck of a lot of fun to watch he and Miles Gaskin go for over twenty points each a few weeks later on Monday Night Football.

Don't let people take your love and ebullience for this away. They're ironists and killjoys and they're not fun nor really bright in ways where bright people are attuned to the rhythms and probabilities life presents.

Good post. I don't think it's crazy to say JCM is a top-8 rookie RB at this date in August, with hype and all else factored in. If Tuten truthers want to say top-9, fine. But if the B-Rob trade goes down, you can also make a case that JCM is ahead of all Day 3 RBs for top-7.

 

[jtd13]

Remember when James Robinson caused havoc at the 2020 East-West Shrine Game with a 63-yard scamper to put the West on top in the fourth quarter? He'd go on to sign with Jax as UDFA and star for a year or two with Jacksonville. I specifically remember them publicly and famously releasing Leonard Fournette because of Robinson's performance in camp. Jacory Croskey-Merritt won the MVP of the East-West Shrine Game and just displaced Brian Robinson. Let's give this a minute before we pronounce him buried.

Oh man. You just reminded me I was cautiously optimistic about Ryquell Williams when that happened (because I had missed out on Robinson).

 

[Marauder]

Bill was my most drafted player in FFPC rookie drafts back in May. I was consistently taking him in the 5th round. Now I'm thinking that I should try flipping him in some leagues, especially where I have tough cut downs. If I can get a 2026 second, that's a pretty nice profit.

I mean... I'm your huckleberry. What can we add to the mix?

The Shark pool league is not one of the leagues I'm looking to flip him in. I don't have a lot of RB depth there.

 

[Terpman22]

This is either going to be a rare find that most in your redrafts have no idea about and you draft gold to get you a playoff ticket or... it's gonna be another overhyped off season player the Shark Pool goes crazy about and then fades to the bench over the season and we start working on possible gems for next year

It ends two ways here, I'm still not sure what to make of things.
I could see Washington trading for a RB or bringing someone else in they know will be cut from another team
Feels like an incomplete backfield if they part with Robinson

What is the investment, a late round pick you would end up cutting 3 weeks into the season anyways?
It's worth examining

Maybe this is with hater shades on, but the way Washington has handled this and the Terry situation doesn't make me feel like the FO has a good gauge on the player market right now and I'm not too sure I'd bet on them making some sort of savvy trade at this point, at least of someone of caliber enough to offset what they'd be losing at this point if they cut/trade Robinson and don't get a RB back anywhere. It just seems like they are a bit disorganized and either were surprised by this guy or just didn't have a plan ever to do anything with Robinson until like what 2 weeks before the season starts?

For me it seems they didn't like Robinson (this coaching staff) ever and now found a guy, their guy that they like and are just going to run with him and Rodriguez and are confident in what their vision is. The best I can say from my view

 

[Gally]

Hard to pass on Higgins for sure. To a slightly lesser extent, Kyle Williams, Bech, and Harris. I'm pretty set at WR and there's not much of a payday in my league if I find a WR3 at this spot. Pretty deep at TE. Could regret passing on Mason Taylor or Arroyo, but can live with the miss if they hit. Of the RBs, I would guess passing on Tuten for JCM is most controversial? But not sure there's anything crazy about that take at this point.

The goal of rookie drafts is to find a multi year FF starter for your roster. Take the guy you think gives you the best chance of that. I also don't mean starter based on your roster specifically. I mean a top 24-36 guy at his position. That has value even it is your WR4. Forcing a RB when you think the WR's have a better shot at being a FF starter is that way to hurt your team. Take the BPA regardless of position.

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

Hard to pass on Higgins for sure. To a slightly lesser extent, Kyle Williams, Bech, and Harris. I'm pretty set at WR and there's not much of a payday in my league if I find a WR3 at this spot. Pretty deep at TE. Could regret passing on Mason Taylor or Arroyo, but can live with the miss if they hit. Of the RBs, I would guess passing on Tuten for JCM is most controversial? But not sure there's anything crazy about that take at this point.

The goal of rookie drafts is to find a multi year FF starter for your roster. Take the guy you think gives you the best chance of that. I also don't mean starter based on your roster specifically. I mean a top 24-36 guy at his position. That has value even it is your WR4. Forcing a RB when you think the WR's have a better shot at being a FF starter is that way to hurt your team. Take the BPA regardless of position.

I draft and manage my roster for ceiling. Part of what goes into this is the fact that I can start no more than 3 WRs in any given week (2+flex). Developing one of these guys because I like his chances to settle in as the WR30-40 just isn't going to move the needle for leaguemates. It's also not going to crack my lineup anytime soon when I have 4 to 6 that are going to be significantly better than that in a given week. It would be a very different story in a league where 4 WRs are cracking most lineups every week.

Part of the reason I still have the collection of WRs I do is that such a format doesn't inspire strong offers even for legit mid-late WR2s. It's not going to make sense to dedicate a 7th roster spot of 24 at WR unless I'm really buying into that WR's top-20 ceiling. I'm sure one of these guys will get there, but I'm just not that enamored with any single one that I want to rope off a roster spot for a couple of years to see if he gets there.

The other big factor is whether the team is competing this year or building. I'm competing, but with a limited shelf life of CMC-Jeanty at RB. Desperately need an RB3 to emerge for this season and with any luck, develop as a long-term backfill when CMC wears away. Thought that the 1.5 would be a good spot for one of these guys, but it didn't pan out. Feels like one of Spears/Miller/Tucker/Pierce should have a chance to ascend to an RB3 plug, but it didn't happen last year. The August drumbeat was real with James Robinson and Pacheco. I'm not sure that it's real here or not. Odds are that it isn't, but there's a actually a lot of value in finding that out quick and pivoting to something else with that roster spot if it isn't.

With all that said, there's about 0% chance Bill is going to be my best option at 2.3. I do think mid-2nd is legit in a lot of league formats.

 

[Gally]

I draft and manage my roster for ceiling. Part of what goes into this is the fact that I can start no more than 3 WRs in any given week (2+flex). Developing one of these guys because I like his chances to settle in as the WR30-40 just isn't going to move the needle for leaguemates. It's also not going to crack my lineup anytime soon when I have 4 to 6 that are going to be significantly better than that in a given week. It would be a very different story in a league where 4 WRs are cracking most lineups every week.

Then the "fantasy starter" numbers shift and you have to hit on guys being top 15-20 at their position to be considered yearly FF starters for a team. That doesn't change my point it just shifts where the bar is that you need to get under to be a starter.

If you need a guy to be WR18 or better to be considered a consistent starter then those are the guys you target and rank accordingly. I agree in your format getting a guy that is going to be WR30 does nothing for you in this league. Then that guy drops in my rankings.

I think we are very close to saying the same thing. My biggest takeaway was to not focus positionally (ie I need a RB even if that RB has less of a chance to be a yearly starter than the WR's I am passing on). No player has value if they don't become FF starter worthy. Give yourself the best chance to hit on a starter. The best way to do that is taking what you consider the BPA (however you decide who that is).

 

[J Giles Band]

I draft and manage my roster for ceiling. Part of what goes into this is the fact that I can start no more than 3 WRs in any given week (2+flex). Developing one of these guys because I like his chances to settle in as the WR30-40 just isn't going to move the needle for leaguemates. It's also not going to crack my lineup anytime soon when I have 4 to 6 that are going to be significantly better than that in a given week. It would be a very different story in a league where 4 WRs are cracking most lineups every week.

Then the "fantasy starter" numbers shift and you have to hit on guys being top 15-20 at their position to be considered yearly FF starters for a team. That doesn't change my point it just shifts where the bar is that you need to get under to be a starter.

If you need a guy to be WR18 or better to be considered a consistent starter then those are the guys you target and rank accordingly. I agree in your format getting a guy that is going to be WR30 does nothing for you in this league. Then that guy drops in my rankings.

I think we are very close to saying the same thing. My biggest takeaway was to not focus positionally (ie I need a RB even if that RB has less of a chance to be a yearly starter than the WR's I am passing on). No player has value if they don't become FF starter worthy. Give yourself the best chance to hit on a starter. The best way to do that is taking what you consider the BPA (however you decide who that is).

This... at all times for me.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This is either going to be a rare find that most in your redrafts have no idea about and you draft gold to get you a playoff ticket or... it's gonna be another overhyped off season player the Shark Pool goes crazy about and then fades to the bench over the season and we start working on possible gems for next year

Bump Finley.

 

[kyoun1e]

He's already jumped into Tank Bigsby territory in redraft ADP.

I'm skeptical.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Jacory Croskey-Merritt College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out Jacory Croskey-Merritt's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

-You might scratch your head as I did or think he's coming off a major injury until you understand what happened in 2024
He jumped ship a couple times and blew out a lot of his eligibility
Played just 1 game and rushed for over 100 yds and a TD, also was named an offensive MVP in the Shrine game

Greetings "Bill", guess we better keep track of you

 

[King of the Jungle]

He's already jumped into Tank Bigsby territory in redraft ADP.

I'm skeptical.

Tank Bigsby? Easily roll dice on JCM over Tank who has ETN and newly drafted Tuten to contend with. What upside does Tank present?

 

[kyoun1e]

He's already jumped into Tank Bigsby territory in redraft ADP.

I'm skeptical.

Tank Bigsby? Easily roll dice on JCM over Tank who has ETN and newly drafted Tuten to contend with. What upside does Tank present?

He proved himself rather well last year when the bullets were flying and JAX offense should be much improved this year.

 

[King of the Jungle]

He's already jumped into Tank Bigsby territory in redraft ADP.

I'm skeptical.

Tank Bigsby? Easily roll dice on JCM over Tank who has ETN and newly drafted Tuten to contend with. What upside does Tank present?

He proved himself rather well last year when the bullets were flying and JAX offense should be much improved this year.

Fair, but it is a new coaching staff and they drafted an RB. At that stage in the draft I prefer upside and I think JCM has more than Tank this upcoming season.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Amazing what rookies do to people

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

I draft and manage my roster for ceiling. Part of what goes into this is the fact that I can start no more than 3 WRs in any given week (2+flex). Developing one of these guys because I like his chances to settle in as the WR30-40 just isn't going to move the needle for leaguemates. It's also not going to crack my lineup anytime soon when I have 4 to 6 that are going to be significantly better than that in a given week. It would be a very different story in a league where 4 WRs are cracking most lineups every week.

Then the "fantasy starter" numbers shift and you have to hit on guys being top 15-20 at their position to be considered yearly FF starters for a team. That doesn't change my point it just shifts where the bar is that you need to get under to be a starter.

If you need a guy to be WR18 or better to be considered a consistent starter then those are the guys you target and rank accordingly. I agree in your format getting a guy that is going to be WR30 does nothing for you in this league. Then that guy drops in my rankings.

I think we are very close to saying the same thing. My biggest takeaway was to not focus positionally (ie I need a RB even if that RB has less of a chance to be a yearly starter than the WR's I am passing on). No player has value if they don't become FF starter worthy. Give yourself the best chance to hit on a starter. The best way to do that is taking what you consider the BPA (however you decide who that is).

Yep, BPA almost always, especially in high leverage spots. I'm passing on a RB I need at the 5-spot for a WR I think is much safer. I don't really have need at TE and also have too many of those rostered, but it won't stop me from drafting Warren if he falls to 1.12 (I think Loveland too).

There's about 13 or 14 guys I would be thrilled to get at the #15. I should get one. JCM definitely isn't in that group. If for some reason all of that group is gone, I wouldn't feel much different about the 2.3 vs 4.3. Trading out isn't an option. Kyle Williams, Higgins, Taylor, or Arroyo would be fine options in a startup. Might still be the best play, but I wouldn't rule out a complete flier at RB at that point. 4th rounder Tuten might still be the better RB bet. A 4th rounder is hardly a sacred cow, but I've also been burned before by going with my gut on a 6th rnd RB ahead of a 4th rnd.

 

[Ilov80s]

Jacory Croskey-Merritt College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

Check out Jacory Croskey-Merritt's College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits and More College Stats at Sports-Reference.com

www.sports-reference.com

-You might scratch your head as I did or think he's coming off a major injury until you understand what happened in 2024
He jumped ship a couple times and blew out a lot of his eligibility
Played just 1 game and rushed for over 100 yds and a TD, also was named an offensive MVP in the Shrine game

Greetings "Bill", guess we better keep track of you

It's a big jump up in competition for him. In his 13 games of Division 1 college football, his only 100 yard games came against New Mexico, Tennessee Tech, Wyoming, Fresno State and Utah State. He was doing that as a 5th year senior and 6th year senior. The Shrine Bowl is second tier. Recent game MVP winners include Frank Gore Jr, Jake Moody, E.J. Perry, Benny LeMay, Terry Godwin and Daurice Fountain.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Amazing what rookies do to people

It is not the rookie I am terribly concerned about, it is the fact they drafted him. They have ETN, Bigsby, Tuten, and Allen. They took Tuten in 4 and another RB in 7. Why use two picks on RBs if they are content? I am not even excited about either of their RB picks but think with the holes they have on the team they are not overly excited about the RBs on roster.

 

[Ilov80s]

Amazing what rookies do to people

It is not the rookie I am terribly concerned about, it is the fact they drafted him. They have ETN, Bigsby, Tuten, and Allen. They took Tuten in 4 and another RB in 7. Why use two picks on RBs if they are content? I am not even excited about either of their RB picks but think with the holes they have on the team they are not overly excited about the RBs on roster.

I think the RB picks were planning ahead. They don't intend to re-sign ETN. Next season is the final year for Tank's deal. This was a really deep RB class where many of the guys going rounds 3-7 would have gone 1 or 2 rounds earlier in most classes. The 2 rookies give them some options for how to play the position long term.

 

[Largent]

I've heard Bill can make a snowman from rain.....possibly drown a fish

 

[King of the Jungle]

Amazing what rookies do to people

It is not the rookie I am terribly concerned about, it is the fact they drafted him. They have ETN, Bigsby, Tuten, and Allen. They took Tuten in 4 and another RB in 7. Why use two picks on RBs if they are content? I am not even excited about either of their RB picks but think with the holes they have on the team they are not overly excited about the RBs on roster.

I think the RB picks were planning ahead. They don't intend to re-sign ETN. Next season is the final year for Tank's deal. This was a really deep RB class where many of the guys going rounds 3-7 would have gone 1 or 2 rounds earlier in most classes. The 2 rookies give them some options for how to play the position long term.

Fair for sure, just seems like they had more pressing needs to address which makes me skeptical that they love their current crew of RBs.

 

[barackdhouse]

I've heard Bill can make a snowman from rain.....possibly drown a fish

makes 10 minutes brownies in 5 minutes and makes babies smile

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

Just passed on him at 2.3 for Skattebo.

Drafted at 2.5.

Time will tell. Good luck to all you Bill holders.

 

[rockaction]

Just passed on him at 2.3 for Skattebo.

Drafted at 2.5.

Time will tell. Good luck to all you Bill holders.

That is the only guy I would say to draft Bill instead of. That’s hilarious. To each their own!

I’m probably wrong and just defensive of my judgment and acquisition of Tracy, although I’m usually hard on who I have.

eta* I would wish you luck with Skattebo but I’d be full of it

 

[sushinsky4tsar]

Just passed on him at 2.3 for Skattebo.

Drafted at 2.5.

Time will tell. Good luck to all you Bill holders.

That is the only guy I would say to draft Bill instead of. That’s hilarious. To each their own!

I’m probably wrong and just defensive of my judgment and acquisition of Tracy, although I’m usually hard on who I have.

eta* I would wish you luck with Skattebo but I’d be full of it

Let's just say, I had 14 guys and Skattebo was definitely dead last. My "worst case scenario" nearly came true at 2.3. The guy at 2.2 finally veered and took Noel. If he goes Skattebo, I'm almost certainly breaking the glass case for Bill.

I do trust KTC as a decent, reactive hive mind on where the community is with these guys.

Skattebo RB25
Tuten RB38
JCM RB48

I don't think Bill's actual value has nearly caught up, even as fast as KTC rankings move. Still, pretty hard to pass on a top dynasty RB3. I do think that's way too rich for Skattebo (five spots ahead of Tracy). I view him as trade bait. If a white RB does something cute in week 1, there'll almost certainly be one dummy willing to pay too much for him. Could definitely bust in that offense, or if Tracy is just plain better. For now, I'm the dummy

Otherwise, I stuck with my gut on Egbuka as my WR of choice at 1.5. That's gonna be the big referendum from this draft. Super thrilled to still get Judkins (baggage and all) at 1.12. Ollie Gordon at 5.3. Needed an influx of RB talent and got it. We'll see if I picked the wrong ones.

 

[FarFromHome]

I'm oblivious. Why do we call him Bill?

 

[Ray Barboni]

I'm oblivious. Why do we call him Bill?

He calls himself Bill

 

[JoeSteeler]

I'm oblivious. Why do we call him Bill?

Why Commanders rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt prefers to be called 'Bill'

Croskey-Merritt may be an emerging RB in Washington

www.cbssports.com

 

[FarFromHome]

I'm oblivious. Why do we call him Bill?

Why Commanders rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt prefers to be called 'Bill'

Croskey-Merritt may be an emerging RB in Washington

www.cbssports.com

Got it. I actually remember that cartoon Little Bill. My kids watched it. Didn't she well. Ha ha

 

[rockaction]

Just passed on him at 2.3 for Skattebo.

Drafted at 2.5.

Time will tell. Good luck to all you Bill holders.

That is the only guy I would say to draft Bill instead of. That’s hilarious. To each their own!

I’m probably wrong and just defensive of my judgment and acquisition of Tracy, although I’m usually hard on who I have.

eta* I would wish you luck with Skattebo but I’d be full of it

Let's just say, I had 14 guys and Skattebo was definitely dead last. My "worst case scenario" nearly came true at 2.3. The guy at 2.2 finally veered and took Noel. If he goes Skattebo, I'm almost certainly breaking the glass case for Bill.

I do trust KTC as a decent, reactive hive mind on where the community is with these guys.

Skattebo RB25
Tuten RB38
JCM RB48

I don't think Bill's actual value has nearly caught up, even as fast as KTC rankings move. Still, pretty hard to pass on a top dynasty RB3. I do think that's way too rich for Skattebo (five spots ahead of Tracy). I view him as trade bait. If a white RB does something cute in week 1, there'll almost certainly be one dummy willing to pay too much for him. Could definitely bust in that offense, or if Tracy is just plain better. For now, I'm the dummy

Otherwise, I stuck with my gut on Egbuka as my WR of choice at 1.5. That's gonna be the big referendum from this draft. Super thrilled to still get Judkins (baggage and all) at 1.12. Ollie Gordon at 5.3. Needed an influx of RB talent and got it. We'll see if I picked the wrong ones.

I got no bone to pick with any of those. What sucks is even a month ago Bill is in play at 5.3. Or he was in May. Right now there are no secrets. I’m surprised Ollie Gordon lasted until then. If I’m drafting then Raheim Sanders wouldn’t last until Round Six either. Any RB with a pulse. Anyway, good luck with it all.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

NFFC ROC tonight:

JCM off the board with pick 9.05

Next 5 RB off the board were Dobbins, JaWill, B.Allen, Rhamondre (me) and Eleler.

9.05 - the wheels have officially come off the bus.

 

[rockaction]

Gotta take a chance in a tourney like that, right? I take him over Javonte and Ekeler if I’m dead. Henderson just nuked Rhamondre we just haven’t seen the crater yet. Dobbins is a test of risk aversion.

Braelon is the one I wouldn’t draft him over.

I don’t know. PPR? Depends. But Javonte Williams wasn’t as good as this guy is when Williams was healthy. People forget he was a converted linebacker whose pass pro was drooled over. He was never fast or agile. That always surprised me as did his draft slot.

I don’t know. This guy’s biggest questions are how durable he is, how good Rodriguez is, or will they pony up a third for a year of Breece Hall?

None of those guys but Braelon offer the potential upside he had. Those aren’t your local leagues. You’d better shoot the moon.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Braelon is the one I wouldn’t draft him over.

I’d easily take RS & Allen over him. I’m not in on eke or JaWill, but there were significantly better WR & TE on the board. QB as well.

It’s a moonshot for sure, but Rodriguez went in the 18th & that seems like way better value.

 

[rockaction]

Braelon is the one I wouldn’t draft him over.

I’d easily take RS & Allen over him. I’m not in on eke or JaWill, but there were significantly better WR & TE on the board. QB as well.

It’s a moonshot for sure, but Rodriguez went in the 18th & that seems like way better value.

Yeah, those are all good points. I’m locked into RB because of the framing. Who knows what else was available?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Yeah, those are all good points. I’m locked into RB because of the framing. Who knows what else was available?

I have the draft board. lol

Mayfield, Jayden Higgins, Njoku, Kraft, Goff, Shaheed, Kirk, Mims, Loveland

 

[barackdhouse]

NFFC ROC tonight:

JCM off the board with pick 9.05

Next 5 RB off the board were Dobbins, JaWill, B.Allen, Rhamondre (me) and Eleler.

9.05 - the wheels have officially come off the bus.

B Allen is the only one of those others that is draftable

 

[barackdhouse]

Yeah, those are all good points. I’m locked into RB because of the framing. Who knows what else was available?

I have the draft board. lol

Mayfield, Jayden Higgins, Njoku, Kraft, Goff, Shaheed, Kirk, Mims, Loveland

Higgins Mims and Loveland are at least good picks at ADP but JCM by a lot here.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Yeah, those are all good points. I’m locked into RB because of the framing. Who knows what else was available?

I have the draft board. lol

Mayfield, Jayden Higgins, Njoku, Kraft, Goff, Shaheed, Kirk, Mims, Loveland

Higgins Mims and Loveland are at least good picks at ADP but JCM by a lot here.

wow. Yeah, I’m on every one of those players over JCM there.

9th just seems very high, but we’ve all got our rankings.

 

[barackdhouse]

Next 5 RB off the board were Dobbins, JaWill, B.Allen, Rhamondre (me) and Eleler.

This year's dead zone for RBs is later than in the past.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This year's dead zone for RBs is later than in the past.

I like both RS & Dobbins at ADP. The next round is even more dart-throwy with Blue, Tuten, etc.

I landed Bigsby a round later and like him more than all those guys.

 

[barackdhouse]

Yeah, those are all good points. I’m locked into RB because of the framing. Who knows what else was available?

I have the draft board. lol

Mayfield, Jayden Higgins, Njoku, Kraft, Goff, Shaheed, Kirk, Mims, Loveland

Higgins Mims and Loveland are at least good picks at ADP but JCM by a lot here.

wow. Yeah, I’m on every one of those players over JCM there.

9th just seems very high, but we’ve all got our rankings.

9th is just not that high for what this guy is going to do. In my opinion his floor is superior to all of those RBs and a couple mid TEs and I would never ever draft a mid round QB over an upside RB that looks like he is about to get a huge role but who will 100% be getting a significant role.

There is only one name in this whole group that has league winner in their ceiling range (beside Allen and I'll say Loveland in TEP or Higgins but I doubt it) and it is JCM. Whose floor I like quite a bit more than Higgins or Loveland. I'll take him over Allen because the Commanders >>> Jets but I think their floor is similar.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Yeah, those are all good points. I’m locked into RB because of the framing. Who knows what else was available?

I have the draft board. lol

Mayfield, Jayden Higgins, Njoku, Kraft, Goff, Shaheed, Kirk, Mims, Loveland

Higgins Mims and Loveland are at least good picks at ADP but JCM by a lot here.

wow. Yeah, I’m on every one of those players over JCM there.

9th just seems very high, but we’ve all got our rankings.

9th is just not that high for what this guy is going to do. In my opinion his floor is superior to all of those RBs and a couple mid TEs and I would never ever draft a mid round QB over an upside RB that looks like he is about to get a huge role but who will 100% be getting a significant role.

There is only one name in this whole group that has league winner in their ceiling range (beside Allen and I'll say Loveland in TEP or Higgins but I doubt it) and it is JCM. Whose floor I like quite a bit more than Higgins or Loveland. I'll take him over Allen because the Commanders >>> Jets but I think their floor is similar.

Flag plant noted.

 

[barackdhouse]

This year's dead zone for RBs is later than in the past.

I like both RS & Dobbins at ADP. The next round is even more dart-throwy with Blue, Tuten, etc.

I landed Bigsby a round later and like him more than all those guys.

they ALL have the same floor.

Blue and Tuten are the only two that can actually take over. RS and Dobbins do not have a ceiling because they cannot dominate touches in their backfields. They just can't. I'll also take Bigsby a round later over RS or Dobbins though. Those 2 are simply not rosterable for me.

I think there is an illusion of risk at play here. The risk for every single one of these players at these costs in the 9th/10th or so, is identical for every one of them. Let me say that again. The risk is identical for all of them. The upside is the only thing that is different.

Only other angle is that roster construction matters and if you're going zero RB then getting someone in these rounds that can give early season production might be worth it and RS or Dobbins are maybe ok in that regard. I still think it's the wrong approach though because I think Blue, Tuten, JCM or Allen are going to score just as many points in the early part of the season as those other guys. But they come with ceilings and bonus upside as the season progresses.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I'll also take Bigsby a round later over RS or Dobbins though. Those 2 are simply not rosterable for me.

ADP told me to take RS 1st. Worked out great.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Only other angle is that roster construction matters and if you're going zero RB then getting someone in these rounds that can give early season production might be worth it and RS or Dobbins are maybe ok in that regard

I like RS as a BYE week guy/injury replacement for starters. Definitely a floor play, but with a Hendo injury he could spike.

i don’t disagree with your JCM take - he’s looked good. I’d like him a lot more in the 12th in redraft than the 9th. I could even see 11th. I gave up a 2026 4th to move up 6 picks to take him in the 17th of a start-up. I like him. 9th is too rich for my blood.

But he’s likely going later in home leagues than NFFC ROC leagues.

 

[fatness]

Last year, the team had two clearly defined roles, a workhorse back that took the bulk of the carries on first and second down, and a third down back that caught passes and was used in pass protection on third downs and other obvious passing situations. Brian Robinson was the top back for the workhorse back role while Austin Ekeler was the top third down back. Jeremy McNichols was the primary back up for both roles initially, but Chris Rodriguez Jr. earned a spot on the roster late in the season and became Robinson’s back up for the workhorse back role.

Assuming the Commanders want to maintain those roles this season, Ekeler and McNichols should largely be the same as the third down backs, with McNichols potentially taking some carries here and there as he did last season. But the bulk of the workload will now fall on either Chris Rodriguez or rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The team could decide to split the workload between them or ride with the hot hand.

Mark Bullock, beat reporter

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Last year, the team had two clearly defined roles, a workhorse back that took the bulk of the carries on first and second down, and a third down back that caught passes and was used in pass protection on third downs and other obvious passing situations. Brian Robinson was the top back for the workhorse back role while Austin Ekeler was the top third down back. Jeremy McNichols was the primary back up for both roles initially, but Chris Rodriguez Jr. earned a spot on the roster late in the season and became Robinson’s back up for the workhorse back role.

Assuming the Commanders want to maintain those roles this season, Ekeler and McNichols should largely be the same as the third down backs, with McNichols potentially taking some carries here and there as he did last season. But the bulk of the workload will now fall on either Chris Rodriguez or rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The team could decide to split the workload between them or ride with the hot hand.

Mark Bullock, beat reporter

So nice to have some clarity. So it could be 1 guy taking the bulk of 2/3 of the touches or it could be a 4-way cluster****.

lol

 

[warpig33]

It's getting to be completely useless to draft RBs in fantasy now. Just throw a dart at committee backs late in drafts. They'll most likely have some sort of "role" in an offense.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It's getting to be completely useless to draft RBs in fantasy now. Just throw a dart at committee backs late in drafts. They'll most likely have some sort of "role" in an offense.

That’s why I opted for Gibbs in a recent start-up, and in my ROC yesterday.

I would have grabbed Bijan over Lamb at 3 as well.

There are so few “elite” backs. To me the best plan right now might be boomer ball - 2 of the first 3 RB.

Because after that you’re spot on. You’re gabbing upside committee guys. I was happy to take Allgeier in yesterday’s draft for the lotto ticket. Guys like Allgeier, B.Allen, Charbs - they’re all potential league winners, but they’re also potential bricks if that upside fails to manifest.

 

[warpig33]

It's getting to be completely useless to draft RBs in fantasy now. Just throw a dart at committee backs late in drafts. They'll most likely have some sort of "role" in an offense.

That’s why I opted for Gibbs in a recent start-up, and in my ROC yesterday.

I would have grabbed Bijan over Lamb at 3 as well.

There are so few “elite” backs. To me the best plan right now might be boomer ball - 2 of the first 3 RB.

Because after that you’re spot on. You’re gabbing upside committee guys. I was happy to take Allgeier in yesterday’s draft for the lotto ticket. Guys like Allgeier, B.Allen, Charbs - they’re all potential league winners, but they’re also potential bricks if that upside fails to manifest.

Right? And then the guy in front of them signs an extension...thus prolonging their chance. And the fact that more and more teams just want "bodies" to rotate...especially veteran bodies. The younger guys seem to get faded out.