For teams eliminated from postseason contention, Week 18 often becomes less about the scoreboard and more about the future.
For the Washington Commanders, sitting at 4-12, the regular-season finale is a critical evaluation window for young players who may shape the roster moving forward.
Few players embody that opportunity more clearly than rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
A seventh-round selection rarely enters the league with expectations beyond depth and special teams value. However, Croskey Merritt has been different.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is giving the Commanders a nice problem to have
In limited but increasingly meaningful opportunities throughout his rookie campaign, he has shown the traits teams seek when trying to uncover value late on Day 3.