Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
The Washington Commanders took a flier on running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt with their final pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. It's safe to say they got much more than they bargained for.
Croskey-Merritt caught the eye almost constantly throughout the summer. When the Commanders traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers and lost Austin Ekeler to a torn Achilles in Week 2, the No. 245 overall selection was thrust into the limelight much sooner than expected.
He shone. Croskey-Merritt took the league by storm. His exceptional performance against the Los Angeles Chargers formally announced him to the NFL. The backfield force remained a work in progress, especially from a blocking standpoint, but his ability to exploit seams and elusiveness in open space was exactly what the Commanders needed at the perfect time.
Although Croskey-Merritt hit the inevitable rookie wall, resulting in Chris Rodriguez Jr. taking over the starting spot, he still finished the season positively. That was a reminder of how special he could be with a little extra polish, but much will depend on what new offensive coordinator David Blough has planned.
Seventh-round picks are a crapshoot. Most barely make it through their first seasons. Even so, Croskey-Merritt looks more than capable of having a long career in Washington.
Jordan Magee - Commanders LB
One of the biggest criticisms of Dan Quinn throughout a dismal season was his unwillingness to involve younger players. This was the perfect time to evaluate the entire roster in a competitive setting, since the Commanders were playing for nothing but pride. Instead, the head coach kept faith with aging veterans who had no long-term future in Washington right up to the bitter end.
There were some rare examples to the contrary. Jordan Magee was one of them. Fans were clamoring for the linebacker to gain extra reps as Bobby Wagner's powers waned and Frankie Luvu spent more time on the edge. Quinn finally relented, and although it was far from perfect, he got better as the campaign wore on.
The more experience Magee accumulated, the more comfortable he became. It's funny how that works.
Magee's explosiveness and instinctiveness, especially against the run, represented a breath of fresh air. The former Temple standout logged 54 tackles and three tackles for loss from eight starts. His energy jumped off the tape as all around him crumbled on defense, which should ensure he has a role to play in 2026.
Washington's new defensive coordinator will have his own opinions on how best to take the unit forward. Still, Magee's production and scope for further growth make him a strong candidate for increased involvement.