The Washington Commanders made a splash, trading running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers. This is big for Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

Robinson Jr. was the starting running back for the Commanders last season but recently sat out during a preseason game as the organization considered trading him. While the 49ers were not one of the teams that we expected as a destination for the running back, he will now serve as a backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco.

Robinson will play behind the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year while a new player will slot in as the lead back in Washington. While that decision is not yet official, the role is likely going to Croskey-Merritt.

A few days ago, we anticipated that Croskey-Merritt (who also goes by the name Bill) is more than just a fantasy football sleeper.

But with Robinson no longer in the picture for Washington, we can expect a big campaign for Croskey-Merritt.

The former Alabama State, New Mexico, and Arizona running back was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Croskey-Merritt has seen his fantasy football value skyrocket over the past few weeks and now, competing mostly with veteran Austin Ekeler for the starting position, it will only go higher.

Expect to see him picked early in your fantasy football league, and while it's potentially too risky to grab him very early yourself, take a serious look if he's still available in a reasonable round.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a fantasy stud after Brian Robinson trade

Reporting by Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win / For The Win

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