​The Washington Commanders have gone five years without a 1,000-yard rusher, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt could change that reality in 2026 thanks to a standout statistic that separated him from every other NFL running back last season. Croskey-Merritt emerged as a welcome late-round surprise in 2025, yet he won’t slip under the radar this year. New offensive coordinator David Blough believes Croskey-Merritt “can be a starting running back, which is a good vote of confidence” ahead of training camp, according to Commanders.com Senior Writer Zach Selby.
Blough’s optimism rests on Croskey-Merritt’s numbers from a year ago: he averaged nearly five yards per carry and led the league in success rate, averaging at least 40% of the yards needed for a first down on 53.7% of his 175 carries. Those figures solidify the case for Croskey-Merritt—nicknamed “Bill”—as the top candidate to spearhead the rushing attack in Blough’s newly envisioned offense. That stance comes even as Croskey-Merritt has room to grow in a couple of critical areas and as the Commanders added a bevy of running backs to an increasingly competitive race for touches.
Croskey-Merritt carved out the top spot on the depth chart as a rookie, edging out more seasoned backs, but he is no longer a novice. At 25, he stands as the established RB1, a role he can sustain thanks to his proven ability to move the chains. Keeping the Commanders ahead of the sticks on the ground is central to the offensive changes Blough is implementing, including putting star quarterback Jayden Daniels under center more frequently, rebalancing the run-pass dynamic, and broadening the play-action game. Implementing these concepts will hinge on Croskey-Merritt continuing to display the vision and one-cut-and-go burst that produced big runs against NFC East rivals like the New York Giants.
Croskey-Merritt already runs with the presence of a feature back, but he must develop additional essential skills if he’s to become a true three-down playmaker. Fortunately for Washington, the team does not rely on him to shoulder every load, thanks to a diversified group built through offseason acquisitions that add credible options for every offensive scenario. The Commanders have assembled a versatile backfield that can adapt to different roles and schemes.
A dependable big-play threat on the ground could be complemented by a veteran presence who can challenge Croskey-Merritt for touches. Receiving duties could be handled by Rachaad White, who already has a rapport with Daniels dating back to their Arizona State days. White should be a valuable asset in the passing game, while short-yardage and goal-line roles are likely to go to 2026 sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen, a former Penn State power back who has already warned Croskey-Merritt and the rest of the backfield that he intends to contribute far beyond special-teams depth. Allen’s arrival adds another potential surprise element to a crowded backfield, contributing to a balanced, multi-dimensional rushing attack for Washington. This depth chart provides a practical fit for every use case on offense, and it gives Washington a viable path to a more productive ground game in 2026.