Commanders running back Bill Croskey-Merritt had a solid rookie season, well beyond expectations for a seventh-round NFL draft pick taken No. 245 overall.
Totaling 805 rushing yards at 4.6 per carry and eight touchdowns(!!) is solid for anyone entering the NFL, especially on an offense that struggled without oft-injured Jayden Daniels.
That’s why what Croskey-Merritt said on Wednesday was somewhat surprising.
“Being way better than last year — that’s my only thing, my only goal, my only focus,” Croskey-Merritt
told on-site reporters following the second of three Commanders minicamp practices. “I’m working to be a whole different version of myself. I’ve just got to get better.”
That’s a strong statement, one that he’s backing up with effort when people aren’t watching. I mean, look at the physical transformation:
There’s plenty of room to improve within his game, both with rushing consistency and as a receiver out of the backfield. He only had nine catches for 68 yards on 13 targets.
Veteran free-agent signing Rachaad White will likely receive most targets from that position after a track record of success in the passing game.
“Rachaad has been a great teammate,” Croskey-Merritt said. “He’s very smooth catching the ball, so I’m gaining knowledge with the receiver stuff. He has been open arms to me, with how he moves and how he does it.”
Croskey-Merritt will also benefit from working under new offensive coordinator David Blough, who will prominently feature the running game and also had Daniels under center a ton.
“As a running back, you can see things before they happen,” Croskey-Merritt said. “It’s better than being in (shotgun) for me personally. …It’s a great thing for the running backs.”
The second-year pro is clearly in great shape. While he missed several OTA practices with an undisclosed injury, he was back to work during minicamp.
Croskey-Merritt’s main focus is learning Blough’s offense and his role within it. He clearly expects a significant production jump in his second season, which often happens with young players.
He doesn’t want to reinvent the wheel. He does want to maximize his potential.
“Just being a better me,” Croskey-Merritt said. “That’s it, and the main thing we’ve been emphasizing. Just do you and keep working hard. That’s all they want to see. That’s what I’m going to do.”
