Start George Kittle over Jacory Croskey-Merritt — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Kittle's role dwarfs Croskey-Merritt's even though the point projections nearly match

The point totals sit almost on top of each other, but that's the least informative number on this page. Kittle is a every-down in-line mismatch who blocks, seams the middle of the field, and still commands real target volume for a 49ers offense expected to score comfortably. Croskey-Merritt is stuck in a rotational role with almost no passing-game involvement, so even a plus game script for Washington doesn't guarantee him the ball. The only thing keeping this from being a blowout call is the injury tag hanging over Kittle — clear that and this isn't close.

What flips it: A clean questionable tag for Kittle turns this from a clear lean into a mismatch he simply wins on role alone.

Sources: ESPN · Sep 1, 2026

AI editor

George Kittle

TE7SFvs LAR

4.86.68.4 Projected Points

Toss-Up· medium

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

RB41WSHvs PHI

7.37.88.3 Projected Points

Sit

Why George Kittle

Toss-Up· medium

TE1 and elite mismatch threat. Vertical seam-stretcher with after-catch power and physical in-line blocking.

TE7 consensus with a 19% target share and 81% snaps — Kittle is a set-and-forget starter if he clears the questionable tag.

His snap share and target share make him a every-week look even in a middling matchup, not just a touchdown-dependent play.
In-line blocking duties plus size give him goal-line and red-zone relevance a rotational back can't match.

The call

Role is elite for the position: 81% snap share and a 19% target share over 11 games make him one of the few tight ends operating as a true primary receiving option.
Consensus has him TE7 at 8.4 projected points — that clears the bar over any replacement-level streamer in a 12-team PPR league.
Matchup is neutral (17 of 32 DvP composite, and on a 0-game sample with 0.00 confidence, it shouldn't move the needle either way).
The one real risk is the questionable designation — confirm he's active before kickoff, and a 3.0-point spread with a 22.8 implied total means no script concerns if he plays.

Latest on Kittle

George Kittle takes a big step

Nick Wagoner reports George Kittle has returned to team drills as he works toward a potential Week 1 return.

ESPN · Aug 31, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sit

Rotational RB with breakaway speed. Young committee back coming off productive efficiency on a healthy carry workload.

Sit — RB41 consensus, projects RB42 this week: 3% target share in 2025, Questionable on the latest report.

Efficient with his touches when he gets them, and a wider Eagles game state could funnel him extra carries late.
Still young and unproven as a lead back, so there's more unrealized upside if Washington ever expands his role.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	George Kittle	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Projected points	4.86.68.4	7.37.88.3
Consensus rank	TE7	RB41
Opponent vs position	LAR · 17 of 320-game sample	PHI · 19 of 320-game sample
Receptions	22 of 32	9 of 32
Receiving Yards	12 of 32	26 of 32
Receiving TDs	9 of 32	—
Targets	22 of 32	—
Anytime TD	20 of 32	20 of 32
Rushing Yards	—	17 of 32
Rushing TDs	—	19 of 32
Rushing Attempts	—	23 of 32
Target share	19%(2025)	3%(2025)
Reception share	22%(2025)	3%(2025)
Implied total · spread	22.8+3.0	20.5+5.5
Depth chart	TE1	RB1
Snap share	81%(2025)	40%(2025)
Injury designation	Q	Q
Start/Sit record	0–0+1 toss-up	—