FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: "Time To Jump on the Jacory Croskey-Merritt Hype Train? | Week 5 Buy Low + Sell High Running Back Targets"

Date: September 30, 2025
Hosted by: Ryan Wormley & Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the fantasy football landscape following Week 4, with a focus on running back buy low, sell high recommendations for Week 5. Ryan and Andrew react to injuries and performances from the Monday Night Football doubleheader, analyze the evolving RB market, and debate the value of emerging players like Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The tone is analytical and enthusiastic, tailored for managers seeking actionable insights to gain an early edge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening: Season Milestones and NFL Team Trends

[00:53 – 01:47]

• Discussion about the NFL season’s first quarter and how October traditionally marks when "contenders" emerge.
• “We hear this a lot from coaches that the NFL season really doesn't start till October because you see a lot of teams treat the first couple weeks like an extended preseason.” – Andrew Erickson (01:21)

2. Monday Night Football Reactions

Jets vs. Dolphins – Tyreek Hill Injury Fallout

[02:27 – 06:57]

• Tyreek Hill out for the season (dislocated knee, multiple ligament tears incl. ACL).
• Focus shifts to Jalen Waddle, Malik Washington, and the implications for Miami’s offense.
  • Malik Washington expected to have biggest role boost due to McDaniel’s usage and play design.
  • Jalen Waddle becomes THE WR1, with historical splits showing promising upside in games without Tyreek:

    “In those games he averaged nine targets and 85 receiving yards per game. So like we've seen the ceiling for Waddle and now this is the time for him to show up.” – Andrew Erickson (05:25)

• The consensus rest-of-season ranking for Waddle will rise from WR30 to a likely spot in the Top 24.
  • “An interesting trade you could potentially see this week is Waddle or [Jamar] Chase, rest of season. ... Not an auto-reject anymore.” – Ryan Wormley (06:02)
• Discussion on Devon Achane’s usage: rushing workload dominated due to game script. Expect more receiving work in less favorable scripts.

Tight End Shift – Mason Taylor vs. Darren Waller

[06:57 – 08:08]

• Taylor vs. Waller ROS: Taylor seen as a more consistent, healthy fantasy asset, though Waller remains a touchdown-dependent red zone weapon.
• “If I'm making a bet on long term ... Mason Taylor I just think is probably a better long term bet and someone I'd rather invest [in].” – Andrew Erickson (07:25)

Jets Injury Situations and RB Impact

[08:08 – 10:16]

• Braylon Allen’s injury likely increases Breece Hall’s red zone role and overall fantasy value as Allen had been siphoning goal line touches.
  • “Braylon Allen did get hurt, I think that that matters significantly for Breece Hall's value moving forward because if he's not going to be playing ... those goal line touches are no longer going to go to Braylon Allen.” – Andrew Erickson (08:42)
• Watch for potential increased workload for Isaiah Davis, but Breece is the beneficiary if Allen is out.

Broncos vs. Bengals – Buy or Bail on Bengals?

[10:16 – 15:07]

• Cincinnati offense is at rock bottom after tough road matchups; optimism for bounce back as they return home.
• “You just need to forget about these last two games because this is the bottom of this Bengals offense. ... It's going to get significantly better when they play at home than on the road.” – Andrew Erickson (11:11)
• Buying Jamar Chase recommended—market sentiment is low, but his ROS ranking remains WR2 due to elite upside.
  • “Chase has had bad games with Joe Burrow before ... and then the next week he goes out and has 150 yards and two touchdowns because he's just that talented.” – Andrew Erickson (13:36)
• T. Higgins and Chase Brown are more volatile and are “sell after a boom game” candidates.

Broncos Backfield Clarity

[15:07 – 17:45]

• J.K. Dobbins has short-term value, but RJ Harvey’s role (increased snaps, receiving role) continues to grow; Dobbins is a sell-high, Harvey is a buy-low stash.
  • “Harvey has been the preferred guy catching passes out of the backfield over J.K. Dobbins ... If [Dobbins’] production starts to tail off, would that really surprise anybody? I don't think so.” – Andrew Erickson (16:15)

3. Running Back Buy & Sell Candidates

Running Backs to Buy

[18:16 – 23:29]

• Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals)

  • Underwhelmed stat-wise in first start without James Conner but dominated usage. Explosive, pass-catching profile makes him a classic buy-low.

    “He played 55% of the snaps ... out touched the next closest running back by 13 to 4.” – Andrew Erickson (18:16) “We get carried away sometimes of that first start ... If James Conner played in this game, he probably would have struggled too.” – Andrew Erickson (19:36)

  • Take advantage of market fatigue on Cardinals/Kyler.

• Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders)

  • Ascending role, elite success rate, better efficiency than Chris Rodriguez. Long-term upside once Jaden Daniels returns.

    “Every time I watch [a] Commanders game ... they talk about how high they are on Croskey-Merritt.” – Andrew Erickson (22:41)

  • “He’s basically free at this point ... I like the long term upside.” – Andrew Erickson (23:26)
  • Trade suggestion: Swap DeAndre Swift or a bench WR for Croskey-Merritt in redraft; more cautious in dynasty formats.

Running Backs to Sell

[28:44 – 33:56]

• DeAndre Swift (Chicago Bears)

  • Touchdown salvaged recent week, but Bears’ run game has been anemic; inefficiency, questionable future workload.

    “He's just doing exactly what he did last year ... very inefficient as a rusher and getting by on volume.” – Andrew Erickson (28:45)

  • Bears may shake up backfield post-bye (potentially more Kyle Manangai or adding another RB); Swift is a “high floor, low ceiling” RB2.

    “Floors do not win fantasy championships for you.” – Ryan Wormley (31:26)

• Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans)

  • Example of a dead zone RB: fine volume, but no Titans RB upside and Tajae Spears return will cut into touches.

    “Another player that I'm fine shipping off the floor for to try to get someone with a little bit more upside, even if they carry a little more risk.” – Andrew Erickson (33:13)

4. Buy/Sell/Hold Lightning Rounds: Running Back Trios

[33:56 – 39:46]

Trio 1: Cam Scataboo, Jordan Mason, Quinshon Judkins

• Buy: Scataboo (full workhorse role with Giants)
• Sell: Mason (tough matchups, Aaron Jones returning soon)
• Hold: Judkins (possible suspension risk; volatile value)

Trio 2: Woody Marks, RJ Harvey, Zach Charbonnet

• Buy: Harvey (growing Broncos role)
• Sell: Charbonnet (role capped in Seattle)
• Hold: Marks (ascending role in Houston post-Mixon)

Trio 3: Bayshaw Tutin, Isaiah Pacheco, Rhamondre Stevenson

• Buy: Tutin (potential late-season Jags breakout)
• Sell: Pacheco (Chiefs RB committee looming)
• Hold: Stevenson (least trade value, still seeing starter snaps in New England)

5. Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kevin Jones on Tyreek Hill injury:

  “Tyreek Hill really, you know, crushing injury. ... Dislocated knee, multiple ligament tears. He's going to be out for the season.” – Ryan Wormley (03:08)

• “Floors do not win fantasy championships for you.” – Ryan Wormley (31:26)
• “Dead zone running backs are still a thing and they look a lot like DeAndre Swift.” – Andrew Erickson (33:56)

6. Final Thoughts & Trade Philosophy

[39:46 – end]

• For RB2 production, be opportunistic and aggressive—veteran, low-ceiling players are replaceable.
• Focus on buying youth and upside, especially as bye weeks and injuries mount.

Key Timestamps

• 01:21 — Teams emerging after October, extended preseason
• 04:05 — Tyreek Hill fallout; Waddle, Washington & fantasy impact
• 06:21 — Waddle vs. Chase fantasy debate post-Hill injury
• 08:42 — Braylon Allen injury, Breece Hall stock up
• 11:11 — “Buy low” case for Jamar Chase, Bengals outlook
• 16:15 — RJ Harvey’s rising role in Denver
• 18:16 — Buy candidate: Trey Benson
• 22:41 — Jacory Croskey-Merritt analysis & trade examples
• 28:45 — Sell candidate: DeAndre Swift
• 33:13 — Sell candidate: Tony Pollard
• 33:56 — Buy/Sell/Hold trios breakdown

Summary Table: Running Back Valuations

| Player | Status | Rationale | |-----------------------|------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Trey Benson | BUY | Volume, talent, offensive fit | | Jacory Croskey-Merritt| BUY | Efficient, cheap, role likely to grow | | DeAndre Swift | SELL | Inefficiency, possible role loss | | Tony Pollard | SELL | Offense struggles, touches at risk | | RJ Harvey | BUY | Expanding role, Dobbins’ durability question | | Cam Scataboo | BUY | Secure volume, featured back | | Jordan Mason | SELL | Volume at risk, Jones return looming | | Quinshon Judkins | HOLD | Suspension risk | | Woody Marks | HOLD | Rising, but role still growing | | Zach Charbonnet | SELL | Touchdown-dependent, sharing with Walker | | Bayshaw Tutin | BUY | Second-half schedule, Jags offense to improve | | Isaiah Pacheco | SELL | Chiefs RB committee, workload decline | | Rhamondre Stevenson | HOLD | No trade value, still starter |

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Target ascending, explosive RBs with pass-catching upside at a discount.
• Move off veteran backs with little upside even if their roles seem locked in today.
• Injuries create sudden value boosts—monitor for RBs ready to seize goal-line touches.
• Don’t fear buying struggling team’s skill players IF underlying usage and talent are present (see: Jamar Chase).
• Use the "rookie or second-year RB vs. veteran dead zone RB" lens to find profit opportunities.
• Know your team’s needs: Consider the value of floor vs. ceiling based on your record/risk profile.

For more trade and RB advice, follow FantasyPros on social and catch the follow-up episode for WR/QB/TE discussion!