For some reason, the Washington Commanders were hell bent on adding another running back to the already crowded room that includes Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols.
With all three of those players entering the final season of their respective contracts, it could be that general manager Adam Peters wanted to ensure a future piece of the puzzle.
But that's a stretch in the seventh round.
Regardless, USA Today's Bucs Wire predicted that Croskey-Merritt will be a "surprise" in 2025.
"Croskey-Merritt isn’t a typical seventh-round pick. A bogus NCAA eligibility issue cost him all but one game after he transferred to Arizona last season," Commanders Wire's Bryan Manning wrote. "Croskey-Merritt has thrived each time he moved up a level and was slated to be a much higher pick in April’s NFL draft. He has a good combination of size and speed and runs with excellent power. One knock is his lack of impact in the passing game during his college career.
"The Commanders have Austin Ekeler for that. Croskey-Merritt could quickly move up the depth chart if Brian Robinson Jr. misses any time."
Croskey-Merritt appeared in just one game last season after being deemed ineligible for all the others after a dispute over a prior redshirt season.
In his last season at New Mexico in 2023, Croskey-Merritt appeared in 122 games and carried the ball 189 times for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 72 yards and another score.
His speed should be a factor in the NFL after running a 4.45 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. That was the fastest among running backs.