Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
There were several feel-good stories to emerge within the Washington Commanders this summer. Arguably, none were more heart-warming than Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
The running back waited a long time before the Commanders came calling at No. 245 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. There's no doubt Croskey-Merritt would have gone much higher, but having his eligibility revoked by the NCAA represented a devastating blow.
It was a put-up or shut-up moment for Croskey-Merritt. The player stayed focused and around Arizona's facility to help his teammates. This endeared him to the Commanders during their comprehensive pre-draft assessments, and he's making the most of his big opportunity.
Croskey-Merritt is running with the purpose and aggression that saw him take college football by storm. It immediately ruffled some feathers in the running back room, especially considering Kliff Kingsbury began working the rookie into his first-team offense as camp progressed.
That is a huge positive for Croskey-Merritt. He's not going to get complacent, but it's hard to ignore the momentum building. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler seem entrenched as the team's starting tandem currently. However, the first-year pro has a shot to become RB3 if the same trend continues over the next fortnight.
In this scenario, don't be surprised if Croskey-Merritt features on the offensive rotation sooner than anticipated.
Jeremy Reaves - Commanders S
The Commanders have always thought a great deal of Jeremy Reaves. He's a respected figure in the locker room and an All-Pro performer on special teams. His energy is infectious, and he's adept at bringing everyone together through the good times and bad.
At the same time, Reaves was seen as something of a one-trick pony. The Commanders benefited greatly from his special-teams production, but even the new regime was reluctant to give him opportunities on the defensive rotation. That trend was expected to continue in 2025, but that might not be the case this time around.
Joe Whitt Jr. outlined his intent to get Reaves more involved on defense. The coordinator believes that his playmaking ability and instinctive style can be a major asset. He was a man of his word, and the veteran safety is responding positively.
Reaves has shone throughout camp. His ferociousness and composure in equal measure have been a breath of fresh air. He's thriving in three-safety sets next to Quan Martin and Will Harris. This is the confidence boost he needed, so expect to see Whitt implement the schematic concept when the situation dictates.
Nobody deserves this more than Reaves. Hopefully, this can be the start of bigger things to come.