Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Samaje Perine
Who should you start in Week 7? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 7
Start Samaje Perine this week: Jacory Croskey-Merritt is on bye in Week 7.
Samaje Perine gets BAL, the 3rd-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week, projecting 5.9 points.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
This one is a coin flip. The model leans Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 2.0 points of value over replacement (-65.6 vs -67.5), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The draft market agrees: Jacory Croskey-Merritt goes first at ADP 115.5 vs 168.0 for Samaje Perine.
Health note: Jacory Croskey-Merritt carries an injury flag of IR (Groin), which is already reflected in his projection.
| Jacory Croskey-MerrittWAS | Samaje PerineCIN | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 7 opponent | Bye | BAL | |
| Projected Week 7 points | 0.0 | 5.9 | Perine +5.9 pts |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 28) | - | #3 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 93.4 | 91.4 | Croskey-Merritt +2.0 pts |
| Points per game | 5.5 | 5.4 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -65.6 | -67.5 | Croskey-Merritt +2.0 |
| Overall rank | #148 | #153 | Croskey-Merritt by 5 |
| Position rank | RB49 | RB50 | |
| Market ADP | 115.5 | 168.0 | Perine +52.5 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 10 | Rd 14 | |
| Bye week | 7 | 6 | |
| Injury flag | IR | None |
Should I start Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Samaje Perine in Week 7?
Start Samaje Perine this week: Jacory Croskey-Merritt is on bye in Week 7.
Should I draft Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Samaje Perine in 2026 fantasy football?
Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He projects 93.4 fantasy points with -65.6 value over replacement, vs 91.4 points and -67.5 for Samaje Perine (RB, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.