Jacory Croskey-Merritt is emerging as a Week 1 sleeper in Washington, with the rookie reportedly battling for a lead-back role after Brian Robinson Jr. was moved. Croskey-Merritt is pegged as a low-end RB2 in 12+ team leagues against the Giants, offering upside in a high-powered offense but with possible sharing in the backfield.

Ekeler looms as the primary pass-game option, likely tempering Croskey-Merritt’s ceiling but not eliminating it. Croskey-Merritt’s rushing workload and red-zone chances could still yield usable fantasy points if the Giants aren’t stout on early downs. Rodriguez Jr. has fallen behind in the depth chart, making Croskey-Merritt a clearer target in season-long formats as a Week 1 flex.

Rookie sleepers for fantasy football in 2025 center on a handful of late-draft targets who could lift rosters in PPR formats. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Dylan Sampson, Isaac TeSlaa, Elic Ayomanor, and Harold Fannin Jr. headline the rookie chatter, with Jerome Ford, Puka Nacua, and Bucky Irving cited as proven breakout precedents to guide late picks. The piece leans into ADP context and training-camp buzz, urging savvy managers to monitor depth charts and preseason snaps for immediate or near-term upside.

In short, add these names as dart-throws at the end of drafts: Croskey-Merritt as a potential early-down option in Washington, Sampson as a possible Browns RB2, TeSlaa and Ayomanor as big-play/rookie-receiver bets in Detroit and Tennessee, and Fannin Jr. as a tight end with 12-personnel upside in Cleveland. Use the Nacua/Irving precedents as a reminder that breakout rookies happen where you least expect them.

Cam Ward leads the 2025 Titans’ QB outlook with rushing upside, but fantasy managers should treat him as a mid-risk, high-reward target in deeper formats due to a shaky supporting cast and O-line concerns.

Ollie Gordon II joins Miami as a contrast-vehicle back with goal-line potential; Kyle Monangai in Chicago fights for a backfield role; Elijah Arroyo could seize SEA’s TE role after Noah Fant’s exit. The piece also covers Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jalen Milroe, Harold Fannin, Dont'e Thornton, Trevor Etienne, and Jaxson Dart as late-round bets with varied upside, plus a free draft tool to compare four players at once.

Five undervalued NFL running backs stand out for fantasy managers this year: Bucky Irving, Chase Brown, Jaylen Warren, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and Zach Charbonnet. Irving climbed from fourth-round stash to a key early-down option for Tampa Bay late in 2024, boasting strong yards after contact and efficiency metrics that hint at a larger role if the OC leans into a win-now ground game. Brown erupted in Cincinnati during an eight-game stretch, delivering high-volume production with a run-heavy game script that kept fantasy points flowing. Warren solidified his Steelers role as a reliable early-down and two-minute back, even amidst competition. Croskey-Merritt and Charbonnet both carry big upside as potential starters or top-handcuff options in Washington and Seattle, respectively, with Croskey-Merritt drawing attention as a strong early-down option and Charbonnet benefiting from a coaching staff inclined to feature the back in both running and receiving roles.

Draft-day edges like these matter, especially in 12-team redrafts. Their ADPs reflect value without sacrificing upside, making them worthy late-round targets who could swing league results if they seize extended workloads or start-time opportunities due to injuries or scheme changes.

Week 1 waiver buzz centers on three backs with clear paths to heavy workloads. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the top add in many leagues as Washington eyes a lead role after trading Brian Robinson Jr. Nick Chubb lands in Houston with a direct shot at RB1 duties with Joe Mixon sidelined early. Dylan Sampson, a Browns rookie, carries high upside as a starter-in-waiting behind Judkins’ absence and Jerome Ford’s workload.

In shallow redraft formats Croskey-Merritt sits as a must-roster in Week 1, while Chubb is a direct add in all formats due to workload certainty amid Houston’s shaky pass game. Sampson is a high-upside stash in 12+ team leagues, with Browns aiming to harness him later as Judkins navigates issues and Ford shares early work. Target these names before your league mates swoop in.