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Should you draft Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Dylan Sampson, and Kyle Monangai in fantasy football in 2025? Andy breaks down the fantasy outlooks for these rookies.
Every season, several rookie running backs emerge as high-end fantasy assets. In fact, many of these running backs are often selected in the final rounds of fantasy drafts and become league-winning selections. Last season, Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving emerged as a league-winner down the stretch once he took over the starting job.
In this piece, we will look at three rookie running backs who have a path to taking over the starting job in their respective backfields.
Should fantasy managers select any of these running backs in drafts? Could any of them finish as an RB1? Let's dive in and look at each of their fantasy football outlooks in 2025.
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt Fantasy Football Outlook
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been one of the biggest risers in terms of fantasy stock during the preseason. The seventh-round rookie out of Arizona opened the preseason competing for the No. 3 role alongside Chris Rodriguez Jr. However, with the preseason in the books, Croskey-Merritt is now in the heat of the competition for the starting job.
This drastic change was due to the trade that sent presumed starter Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers. Before the trade, Croskey-Merritt was already beginning to push the coaching staff's hand, and this trade was the final domino to fall.
In his preseason debut, Croskey-Merritt was quiet, tallying just 24 yards on seven attempts. However, in his second game with Robinson being held out due to trade discussion, Croskey-Merritt broke out as he ran for 46 yards and punched in his professional touchdown.
More importantly, leading up to their final preseason game this past weekend, Croskey-Merritt was held out of action and rested alongside several key starters, including quarterback Jayden Daniels. While the rookie was dealing with a minor shoulder injury during practice leading up to this game, seeing him take a set with many of the starters suggests Croskey-Merritt has won the starting role.
Interesting to see Chris Rodriguez getting these carries and Bill not expected to play. Might tell the RB depth chart story
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 23, 2025
While veteran Austin Ekeler will still have a role, especially on passing downs, fantasy managers should draft Croskey-Merritt as the starter of the Washington Commanders. Even if he is eased into action during the regular season, he could carry RB2 upside, playing in a potent Washington offense.
Last season, led by the rookie sensation Daniels. The Commanders finished in the top-6 in both points and yards per game.
While his ADP has begun to skyrocket over the past few weeks, he is still being selected after several rookie running bakcsl ike Jaydon Blue and Quinshon Judkins, who have significant questions regarding their 2025 season outlook. Given his role as the potential RB1 in a top-10 offense, Croskey-Merritt carries RB2 upside in all leagues.
Jayden Daniels made sure rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt got his touchdown ball ❤️ pic.twitter.com/158mOHVvyG
— ESPN (@espn) August 19, 2025
Dylan Sampson Fantasy Football Outlook
Another late-round rookie running back who could claim the starting job before the regular season begins is Dylan Sampson of the Cleveland Browns. Sampson was actually the second rookie running back the Browns selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Earlier in the second round, the Browns selected Judkins out of Ohio State.
DYLAN SAMPSON CONTINUES TO BALL THIS SEASON 🔥
A 27-YD TOUCHDOWN TO RETAKE THE LEAD VS. GEORGIA 😤 pic.twitter.com/HmuJLppFvZ
— ESPN (@espn) November 17, 2024
However, with Judkins being arrested for domestic assault and having yet to sign his rookie contract with the club, Sampson has been given ample opportunities to practice with the first team during training camp and has not disappointed. In their preseason finale this past weekend, Sampson was given the starting nod alongside the first-team.
While he only ran the ball twice, seeing him get the nod over veteran Jerome Ford suggests he has the slight edge in a potent committee to open the season.
During the first two preseason games, Sampson's workload was also closely managed, suggesting the coaching staff may have already viewed him as a potential starter earlier in training camp, especially following Judkins' arrest.
While Judkins will likely take over the starting job once he signs his rookie deal, for the time being, Sampson should be given a significant role at the start of the season. With Ford being the veteran option, he could be given a slight majority of carries, but seeing Sampson's current workload, he may have already jumped him on the depth chart.
Even though the Cleveland offense does not project to be overly productive in 2025, with proven quarterback Joe Flacco serving as the QB1, Sampson could be rather productive when called on.
Fantasy managers looking to find a potential starting running back in the double-digit rounds should look to target Sampson, as his ADP is still widely affordable on most platforms. If he can begin the season on a high note, he could even force the team to keep him in the starting role, even when Judkins is cleared for game action.
Dylan Sampson’s first NFL reception comes with a filthy spin move + a first down!🔥🏈#GBO🍊 | #DawgPound
pic.twitter.com/A6evLcazOq— Tri-Star Network (@TriStar_Network) August 23, 2025
Kyle Monangai Fantasy Football Outlook
The final rookie running back we will take a look at has a much harder path to claim a starting job.
The Bears selected Kyle Monangai in the seventh round of this April's draft out of Rutgers. Throughout training camp, Monangai received positive buzz for beating reports but was typically seen most of the time playing alongside the second stringers while veteran D'Andre Swift dominated the workload with the first team.
Top 3 Takeaways mid-practice 12:
1- Physical. Skirmishes. Lot of work on the ground at the goal line.
2- Kyle Monangai getting bulk of second unit carries. Roschon at the goal line.
3- Energy level is popping. Again.
— Mark Carman (@thecarm) August 5, 2025
After being deployed before Swift and the injured Roschon Johnson (foot) in the opening preseason game, Monangai was held out of action in the final two games due to an undisclosed injury. According to Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune, Monangai suffered a potential injury during a joint practice earlier in August.
Despite this minor injury, with Johnson still banged up and in danger of missing the start of the season, Monangai could still be in the mix to open the season as the no. 2 back behind Swift.
In addition, Monangai carries some intriguing fantasy value in the final rounds not only as a handcuff, but as a high-upside stable option. Last season, the Bears' offense struggled, and Swift played a significant role in that. In 2024, the running back posted a career-low 3.8 YPC.
While Swift could be poised to bounce back with former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson taking over head coaching duties, Monangai is still worth a look as a high-upside star option in the final rounds. While he is best to leave on the waiver wire in shallow 10-team leagues, he is worth a spot on your bench in deeper 12+ team formats given his potential late-season role on an emerging offense featuring Caleb Williams and potential breakout wideout Rome Odunze.
Chicago Bears rookie Round 7 RB Kyle Monangai
Every preseason touch pic.twitter.com/Us9vSRG7Jv
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 11, 2025
He is a strong handcuff with upside to target with the final picks of your draft, as he will likely carry more upside as the season progresses.
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