Gunnar Helm or Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 3 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Helm’s steadier workload gives him the narrow edge
Helm’s heavier on-field role gives him a steadier path to involvement than Croskey-Merritt’s, which matters more here than their near-equal projections. Croskey-Merritt has the better positional matchup and a slightly stronger team scoring outlook, but his limited passing-game role makes him more reliant on rushing and scoring chances. His recent touchdown shows that payoff is possible (ESPN 2026-09-13), though it doesn’t establish a dependable scoring role. Helm is the marginal head-to-head pick, but both remain sits under the board verdicts.
What flips it: Croskey-Merritt turning that recent touchdown into a sustained scoring role.
Sources: ESPN · Sep 13, 2026
AI editor
Gunnar Helm
4.46.17.9 Projected Points
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
7.88.38.8 Projected Points
Gunnar Helm’s market
Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s market
Why Gunnar Helm
SitStarting TE and volume underneath target. Reliable seam and checkdown option with developing in-line blocking.
Sit — bench-tier TE at consensus TE24: 16% target share, 7.9 PPR projected vs NYG.
- His underneath and checkdown role can keep him involved without needing a touchdown.
- The case is workload stability, not a high ceiling; his recent production has been modest.
Why Jacory Croskey-Merritt
SitLead back and volume runner. Decisive one-cut rusher with tackle-breaking contact balance; limited passing-game work.
Sit — bench-tier RB at consensus RB41: 3% target share, 8.8 PPR projected vs SEA.
- Lead-back status gives him a direct path to rushing and scoring chances.
- The SEA matchup is more inviting, but limited receiving work raises his risk if the rushing script stalls.
Latest on Croskey-Merritt
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.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Gunnar Helm | Jacory Croskey-Merritt |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 4.46.17.9 | 7.88.38.8 |
| Consensus rank | TE24 | RB41 |
| Opponent vs position | NYG · 20 of 322-game sample | SEA · 12 of 322-game sample |
| Receptions | 27 of 32 | 29 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 19 of 32 | 23 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 15 of 32 | — |
| Targets | 24 of 32 | — |
| Anytime TD | 13 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Rushing Yards | — | 5 of 32 |
| Rushing TDs | — | 1 of 32 |
| Rushing Attempts | — | 11 of 32 |
| Target share | 16% | 3% |
| Reception share | 19% | 5% |
| Implied total · spread | 20.8+3.0 | 21.5+3.5 |
| Depth chart | TE1 | RB1 |
| Snap share | 82% | 43% |
Recent form
Gunnar Helm — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs PHI | 1.32.33.3 |
| Week 1 | vs NYJ | 2.84.86.8 |
Jacory Croskey-Merritt — last 2 weeks
| Week 2 | vs DAL | 4.85.35.8 |
| Week 1 | vs PHI | 11.612.112.6 |
Signal breakdown
- 7.9 vs 8.8 projected PPR pointsJacory Croskey-Merritt +
- Rank 24 vs 41Gunnar Helm +
- Opponent DvP rank 20 vs 12 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 20.8 vs 21.5 team pointsJacory Croskey-Merritt +
- No injury designationseven
- 82% vs 43% snap shareGunnar Helm +
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