Dallas Goedert or Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Goedert's every-down role wins a close projection battle

Start Dallas Goedert: the projections are nearly level, but his near-every-down role and passing-game priority give him the sturdier floor than Jacory Croskey-Merritt's part-time workload. Philadelphia's official report confirms Goedert was featured in the passing game, reinforcing that this is more than a matchup-driven call (philadelphiaeagles.com 2026-09-16). Croskey-Merritt still has the better path if Washington establishes its lead back near the goal line; Goedert's risk is that his early scoring spike does not carry forward.

What flips it: A meaningful cut to Goedert's snap or target role, or a clear expansion of Croskey-Merritt's passing-game work.

Sources: philadelphiaeagles.com · Sep 16, 2026

AI editor

Dallas Goedert

Dallas Goedert

TE12PHIvs TEN

Projected Points

Start· medium
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

RB41WSHvs DAL

Projected Points

Start

Dallas Goedert’s market

REC
O/U 3.5
-131 / +102
Receptions Props →
REC YDS
O/U 38.5
-110 / -114
Receiving Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+215
Anytime Touchdown Props →

Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s market

RUSH YDS
O/U 50.5
-113 / -113
Rushing Yards Props →
ATD
Anytime TD
+105
Anytime Touchdown Props →
PHI@
TENSun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM ETView the game →
WSH@
DALSun, Sep 20, 4:25 PM ETView the game →

Why Dallas Goedert

Start· medium

Starting TE and red-zone weapon. Reliable chain-mover with strong yards-after-catch and blocking ability.

95% snaps and a 23% target share off a 4-77-2 game make Goedert a locked-in TE1 at 10.8 projected, even against a mid-tier TEN matchup.

  • His chain-moving profile makes his heavy route involvement more bankable than a touchdown-dependent TE play.
  • A mid-tier matchup is less concerning when his role is already central to Philadelphia's offense.

The call

  • Role is airtight: 95% snap share and a 23% target share mean he's a genuine focal point in this passing game, not a rotational piece.
  • Recent production backs the usage — four catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns, with the Eagles featuring him near the goal line.
  • The 23.5 implied total and -4.5 spread point to a positive, controlled script where Philadelphia keeps throwing in scoring range.
  • Only real drag is the matchup: Tennessee grades 12 of 32 vs tight ends, and it's a one-game sample with zero confidence, so treat the DvP as noise rather than a reason to bench a TE12 with this role.

Latest on Goedert

Role

Dallas Goedert was featured in the Eagles' passing game on Sunday, drawing five targets and recording four receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Spadaro: Dallas Goedert does it all and does it well for the Eaglesphiladelphiaeagles.com · Sep 16, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Start

Lead back and volume runner. Decisive one-cut rusher with tackle-breaking contact balance; limited passing-game work.

Start — RB41 consensus, projects RB31 this week: 3% target share, 10.2 PPR projected vs DAL.

  • His lead-back status gives him a clear goal-line route if Washington controls the game.
  • Limited receiving work is the key weakness, but his decisive rushing style can still win on efficiency.

Latest on Croskey-Merritt

Oweh (calf) among 4 Commanders players cleared to play vs. Eagles

The Commanders have cleared Odafe Oweh, K'Lavon Chaisson, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Daron Payne to play in Sunday's season opener against the Eagles.

ESPN · Sep 11, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDallas GoedertJacory Croskey-Merritt
Projected points
Consensus rankTE12RB41
Opponent vs positionTEN · 12 of 321-game sampleDAL · 17 of 321-game sample
Receptions18 of 3212 of 32
Receiving Yards5 of 3211 of 32
Receiving TDs1 of 32—
Targets15 of 32—
Anytime TD20 of 3222 of 32
Rushing Yards—22 of 32
Rushing TDs—15 of 32
Rushing Attempts—21 of 32
Target share23%3%
Reception share29%6%
Implied total · spread23.5-4.523.5+4.5
Depth chartTE1RB1
Snap share95%49%
Start/Sit record1–0—

Recent form

Dallas Goedert — last 1 week

Week 1vs WSH

Jacory Croskey-Merritt — last 1 week

Week 1vs PHI

Signal breakdown

  • 10.8 vs 10.2 projected PPR pointsDallas Goedert +
  • Rank 12 vs 41Dallas Goedert +
  • Opponent DvP rank 12 vs 17 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 23.5 vs 23.5 team pointseven
  • No injury designationseven
  • 95% vs 49% snap shareDallas Goedert +

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