Croskey-Merritt focused despite Commanders' Jeremiyah Love NFL Draft speculation

Defying his lowly draft status, he quickly rose to the top of the pecking order, finishing the year as the team’s leading rusher with 805 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

Despite Croskey-Merritt's impressive rookie season, many draftniks have predicted the Commanders will find his replacement in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love in the conversation at No. 7 overall.

Croskey-Merritt is staying focused

Appearing on The Insiders, available to Game Pass subscribers on DAZN, Croskey-Merritt made it clear he's focusing only on what he can control.

Asked how he was spending the offseason, he replied, "Making sure I'm staying in shape." 

"Working out four times a week," he continued, before explaining how he's also throwing himself into the playbook and following a strict diet program.

Excitement about Commanders' new offense

The Commanders have a new offensive coordinator in 30-year-old David Blough, a former NFL quarterback who previously served as the assistant quarterbacks coach in Washington.

Asked what the offense could look like under Blough, Croskey-Merritt didn't hold back.

"Very explosive," he said with a knowing smile.

"Blough, he's a great coach, knows a lot. Just ready to see what he has in store. I know he's got something great in store with us. I know it's going to be special."

Challenged on whether he's setting any personal goals amid a potential running back competition, Croskey-Merritt once again kept it simple, explaining that his plan is to "Just be better than last year."

Elsa / Staff

DAZN's Jason Abbey: Washington's lead back?

Croskey-Merritt had problems with fumbles last year and was a non-factor as a receiver. He still exceeded expectations.

Whether he can push on and contribute on all three downs remains to be seen, but he showed enough to suggest he should at least be in a committee approach.

That changes immediately if Love lands in Washington, but it's not a scenario I can see playing out. In my latest mock, I predicted the Commanders would take Carnell Tate at No. 7.

If the Commanders don't draft Jeremiyah Love, and Croskey-Merritt gets the nod at running back over Rachaad White, the Washington faithful should rest assured that the incumbent starter will be dialled in.

"Everyone wants to win it all. That's the goal. That's the mindset that we're going to go into it with," he said.

Stream the 2026 NFL Draft live on DAZN

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh on 23 April, and you can watch every round live on DAZN with a Game Pass subscription.

From just £9.99/€9.99, witness the moment Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate hear their names called and walk onto the draft stage as the next generation of NFL superstars.

Sign up for Game Pass now and get your front-row seat to the 2026 NFL Draft.