NFL analyst just affirmed what Commanders fans have been saying for weeks

With the Washington Commanders no longer having Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler leading the running back room, all eyes are on Jacory Croskey-Merritt. And one NFL analyst believes the seventh-round pick could be set for great things with more responsibilities on his shoulders.

The Commanders lost Ekeler to a torn Achilles tendon against the Green Bay Packers. They traded Robinson to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round selection before the campaign began. Croskey-Merritt is the new No. 1 option, and there is supreme confidence in his capabilities.

Croskey-Merritt won't be a solo act. Jeremy McNichols provides the veteran presence in Ekeler's absence. The Commanders should also get Chris Rodriguez Jr. more involved, and they recently signed Chase Edmonds to the practice squad as a potential dual-threat option once he gets up to speed.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt gets glowing endorsement before first Commanders start

How much Croskey-Merritt plays is dependent on his pass blocking. Kliff Kingsbury wants to see improvements in this area. Still, Alex Kay from The Bleacher Report thought the first-year pro could propel himself into NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year contention if he seizes this significant opportunity.

With veteran starter Austin Ekeler suffering a potential career-ending Achilles tear in Week 2, JCM is now poised to take on an even larger workload going forward. He's been elevated to the Commanders' RB1 role and should get the bulk of touches over backups Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez. The best is still to come from Croskey-Merritt. He's already massively outperformed expectations for a player drafted in a spot where even making the final roster is far from guaranteed. If he can capitalize on his newly expanded duties, Bill may even find himself right in the thick of the Offensive Rookie of the Year race.Alex Kay

This would be the best-case scenario for all parties. It would formally announce Croskey-Merritt as the biggest steal of the 2025 NFL Draft. It would also give the Commanders a legitimate long-term running back option to place alongside superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The hype has been soaring around Croskey-Merritt since he entered the building. That's only going to grow if he thrives from a starting berth, starting in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. With Daniels missing the contest due to a knee sprain, Kingsbury must establish a solid ground attack to alleviate pressure on veteran backup Marcus Mariota.

Croskey-Merritt is the man for the big moment. He'll relish this chance to pile more misery on the 31 other teams that ignored his talent throughout the draft. Expecting miracles is pushing it, but he's done nothing to suggest some decent numbers can't arrive if early momentum is generated.

His magnificent surge against all odds shows no signs of slowing down. The Commanders need their Croskey-Merritt train to keep rolling to compensate for some huge losses.