Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Tucker Kraft: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Kraft's seam role edges out Croskey-Merritt's touchdown-dependent workload
Kraft gets the nod because his primary seam role and stronger involvement create a steadier PPR path, even though the projections are nearly identical. Croskey-Merritt has lead-back and goal-line appeal, but limited passing-game work makes him more dependent on rushing efficiency and a score. Kraft's matchup grade should not scare you off: it comes from a one-game sample with no confidence, while his target role is the more reliable separator. The risk is that his return from injury trims his involvement, whereas Croskey-Merritt's best outcome is clear if Washington leans on him near the goal line.
What flips it: A confirmed snap or route limitation for Kraft before kickoff.
AI editor
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
9.09.610.2 Projected Points
Tucker Kraft
6.38.410.6 Projected Points
Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s market
Tucker Kraft’s market
Why Jacory Croskey-Merritt
StartLead 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.
- Lead-back and goal-line duties give him a direct path to beating the projection.
- His decisive rushing style helps if Washington protects a lead, but limited receiving work narrows his floor.
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.
Why Tucker Kraft
Start· mediumTE1 and primary seam threat. Physical yards-after-catch producer and capable in-line blocker; returning from injury.
TE9 at 10.6 projected with a 66% snap share and 15% target share — the scary matchup grade is a 1-game sample with 0.00 confidence.
- The primary seam role offers a steadier PPR route than Croskey-Merritt's touchdown-dependent profile.
- Ignore the scary matchup grade; the sample is too thin to outweigh his established receiving role.
The call
- A 10.6-point projection and TE9 consensus rank clear the bar at a position where replacement-level starters are living in the 6-7 point range.
- Role is locked: he's the No. 1 TE with a 66% snap share and 15% target share in the early sample, so the volume is there regardless of matchup.
- The DvP composite ranks NYJ 8 of 32 (tougher end), but it's built on a 1-game sample with 0.00 confidence — not enough to bench a top-10 tight end.
- Green Bay's 24.0 implied total as a 5.5-point favorite points to a controlled, red-zone-heavy script, which is where Kraft's touchdown equity lives.
Latest on Kraft
General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transaction Saturday
The Packers and tight end Tucker Kraft have reached agreement on a four-year extension worth up to $92 million, sources told ESPN.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Tucker Kraft |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 9.09.610.2 | 6.38.410.6 |
| Consensus rank | RB41 | TE9 |
| Opponent vs position | DAL · 17 of 321-game sample | NYJ · 8 of 321-game sample |
| Rushing Yards | 22 of 32 | — |
| Rushing TDs | 15 of 32 | — |
| Rushing Attempts | 20 of 32 | — |
| Receptions | 12 of 32 | 14 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 11 of 32 | 14 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 22 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | — | 1 of 32 |
| Targets | — | 11 of 32 |
| Target share | 3% | 15% |
| Reception share | 6% | 14% |
| Implied total · spread | 23.5+4.5 | 24.0-5.5 |
| Depth chart | RB1 | TE1 |
| Snap share | 49% | 66% |
| Start/Sit record | — | 0–1 |
Recent form
Jacory Croskey-Merritt — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs PHI | 11.612.112.6 |
Tucker Kraft — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs MIN | 6.58.09.5 |
Signal breakdown
- 10.2 vs 10.6 projected PPR pointsTucker Kraft +
- Rank 41 vs 9Tucker Kraft +
- Opponent DvP rank 17 vs 8 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 23.5 vs 24.0 team pointsTucker Kraft +
- No injury designationseven
- 49% vs 66% snap shareTucker Kraft +
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