Start D'Andre Swift over Jacory Croskey-Merritt — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Swift’s lead-back role makes him the safer RB2 over Croskey-Merritt

Start D’Andre Swift: Chicago’s lead-back role and friendlier scoring setup give him the sturdier PPR path than Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Sports Illustrated 2026-08-31 lists Swift as the starter after final cuts, and his steadier passing-game involvement supports his floor; that role edge makes the gap meaningful rather than cosmetic. Croskey-Merritt can win with decisive rushing and a touchdown, but Washington’s underdog script and limited receiving work make him efficiency-dependent, while Swift’s Questionable tag is the real risk.

What flips it: A confirmed Swift limitation or a late switch to Croskey-Merritt on passing downs.

Sources: Sports Illustrated · Aug 31, 2026

AI editor

D'Andre Swift

RB20CHIvs CAR

10.511.412.3 Projected Points

Start· medium

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

RB41WSHvs PHI

7.37.88.3 Projected Points

Sit

Why D'Andre Swift

Start· medium

RB1 and lead back. Explosive one-cut runner off 1,000-plus rushing yards with steady passing-game usage.

Swift is the locked-in Bears starter (58% snaps, 10% target share) and RB21 with 12.3 projected — a fine flex/RB2 as a 2.5-point favorite.

Starter status gives Swift the clearest route to consistent work if Chicago sustains drives.
His receiving involvement provides a useful floor beyond pure rushing efficiency.

The call

Role is the case: the post-cuts depth chart lists Swift as the starting back ahead of Monangai and Johnson, and he's held a 58% snap share with a 10% target share — three-down volume in PPR.
RB21 at 12.3 projected points is a usable RB2/flex in a 12-team league; you're not benching that for a replacement-level option.
Game script cooperates — Chicago is a 2.5-point favorite with a 23.5 implied total, which points to a positive-script workload and goal-line looks.
The one caution: the Carolina DvP composite (21 of 32) is built on a 0-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so treat the matchup as neutral rather than a boost.

Latest on Swift

Role

The Bears' depth chart following final roster cuts lists D'Andre Swift as the starting running back, with Kyle Monangai as the backup and Roschon Johnson third.

Sports Illustrated · Aug 31, 2026

Fantasy football buzz: D'Andre Swift and Rome Odunze are injured ... now what?

With D'Andre Swift and Rome Odunze both leaving practice early, fantasy managers might need to reconsider their strategy if drafting Thursday night.

ESPN · Sep 3, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sit

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

Sit — RB41 by consensus and projection: 3% target share in 2025, Questionable on the latest report.

Croskey-Merritt’s decisive rushing style offers touchdown upside if Washington controls the game.
His best path is a rushing-led script, with little receiving work to rescue a quiet ground day.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	D'Andre Swift	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Projected points	10.511.412.3	7.37.88.3
Consensus rank	RB20	RB41
Opponent vs position	CAR · 21 of 320-game sample	PHI · 19 of 320-game sample
Rushing Yards	25 of 32	17 of 32
Rushing TDs	24 of 32	19 of 32
Rushing Attempts	25 of 32	23 of 32
Receptions	17 of 32	9 of 32
Receiving Yards	13 of 32	26 of 32
Anytime TD	23 of 32	20 of 32
Target share	10%(2025)	3%(2025)
Reception share	11%(2025)	3%(2025)
Implied total · spread	23.5-2.5	20.5+5.5
Depth chart	RB1	RB1
Snap share	58%(2025)	40%(2025)
Injury designation	Questionable	Questionable
Start/Sit record	0–0+1 toss-up	—