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Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt Makes NFL History in Rookie Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Sep 10, 2025 11:55 AM ET

The Washington Commanders made easy work of the New York Giants in Week 1, walking away with a 21-6 home victory against their NFC East rival.

There were a lot of strong performers for Washington, including rookie seventh-round running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

By the end of the game, he'd rushed the ball 10 times for 82 yards (led the team) and one touchdown. He was also targeted once, but had no receptions.

In an x-post on Wednesday, the Commanders revealed he'd made history, saying "@JacoryMerritt15 is the first player in NFL history selected 200th or later to have 75+ rush yds & 1+ rush TD in his NFL debut."

.@JacoryMerritt15 is the first player in NFL history selected 200th or later to have 75+ rush yds & 1+ rush TD in his NFL debut

️ https://t.co/fQMbxcCqqP pic.twitter.com/wjlbLqRtKA
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 10, 2025

Of course, going into the 2025 season, there was tons of hype surrounding the rookie, specifically in the fantasy football world, where he became one of the offseason's biggest storylines.

"I don't know that there has been a bigger riser this offseason than Jacory Croskey-Merritt," CBS Sports' Heath Cummings wrote. "The seventh-round pick started earning buzz almost immediately upon his arrival in Washington and the hype went to a whole new level when the Commanders dealt Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers."

His Week 1 performance has him ranked as the No. 9 running back, according to ESPN, while being rostered in just 82.9% of fantasy football leagues.

He's also one of six finalists for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week, joined by Cleveland Browns RB Dylan Sampson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka, Indianapolis Colts TE Tyler Warren, Cincinnati Bengals LB Demetrius Knight Jr. and Denver Broncos RB RJ Harvey.

There are still 16 games left in the season, but early on, it appears the Commanders hit big when selecting Croskey-Merritt with pick No. 245.

However, he and Washington will be tested in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, who held the Detroit Lions to just 46 rushing yards in Week 1.

If Croskey-Merritt can put up similar numbers, he'll be making an early case for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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