Daily Slop – 1 Jul 25 – Rookie RB Croskey-Merritt has huge opportunity with Commanders in 2025

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

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Articles

Riggo’s Rag

Michael Gallup is entering the last chance saloon with Commanders at camp

The time away allowed Gallup to refocus and find his love for football again. Washington gave him a route back into the league, but it comes with no guarantees whatsoever. He’ll have to earn his spot in a crowded wide receiver room just like everyone else.

Things began well enough for Gallup over early workouts. He found his groove quickly and looked capable of carving out a role for himself. Unfortunately for the wideout, a hamstring strain kept him out of Washington’s mandatory minicamp, denting his momentum at the worst possible time.

This was a blow for Gallup; there’s no getting away from that. But all hope is not lost with the former Colorado State standout just yet.

Gallup’s got a few weeks to heal before camp. That’s the first objective. After that, it’s about hitting the ground running through consistent pass-catching and sharp route-running in a more intense setting.

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Commanders.com

Commanders 2025 training camp preview | Running back

What to watch

• Can Brian Robinson take another step? Although his numbers look similar from his previous two seasons, Robinson did take a step forward in 2024 by rushing for a career-high 799 yards. He is not a speedster like other running backs playing today, but his physical style kept the Commanders’ offense moving. His coaches have praised his approach this offseason, saying that he knows how important this season is for him (it’s the last year of his rookie contract).
• Will Austin Ekeler have a similar effect on the offense as last year? Ekeler became one of the Commanders’ most valuable free agent pickups last offseason, despite recording his fewest scrimmage yards since his rookie season. He was the team’s primary returner on kickoffs and had 594 yards — the third most in the NFL — on 19 returns. Concussions were the biggest obstacles for Ekeler in 2024, but he looked healthy in OTAs and minicamp and ready to prove once again that he can still be productive at 30 years old.
• What will Jacory Croskey-Merritt add to the backfield? Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick, has created plenty of hype among Washington’s fans. He’s largely unproven since 2023 because of eligibility issues, but he looked quick and decisive during OTAs. He certainly has an interesting skill set that could be useful as the team’s third running back, but he will need to earn a roster spot before he can take on that role.

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Heavy.com

Commanders Rookie RB Bill Croskey-Merritt Has Real Breakout Potential in 2025

The Washington Commanders offense hasn’t seen a running back rush for over 800 yards in a season since Antonio Gibson back in 2021. This lack of a true feature ball carrier opens the door for RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt entering his rookie year.

Croskey-Merritt saw his draft stock plummet after eligibility issues essentially robbed him of his final collegiate season in 2024, where he played just one game for the Arizona Wildcats before his college career abruptly ended.

Dean Jones of Riggo’s Rag wrote, “Croskey-Merritt was the No. 245 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft through no real fault of his own. The backfield threat saw his stock crash after having his eligibility revoked by the NCAA just one game into his transfer to Arizona. Not even winning Offensive MVP at the East-West Shrine Bowl could help change his narrative, but the Commanders saw something in him that others didn’t.”

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Commanders.com

2025 opponent breakdown | Green Bay Packers

• Can the Packers get more out of their run game? Josh Jacobs ignited the Packers’ ground game in a manner that has not been seen in recent memory. They finished fifth in yards per game — their highest ranking since 2003 — as Jacobs rushed for his fourth career 1,000-yard season. The strategy, which took pressure off Love while also fueling the fifth-best scoring offense in 2024, seems to be the approach going forward, but is it possible for the Packers’ run game to reach another level? Green Bay’s front office certainly thinks so, which is why they signed Banks away from the San Francisco 49ers.
• Who is the new leader in the secondary? Jaire Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler who spent his entire career in Green Bay, is now with the Baltimore Ravens after being released, leaving a noticeable hole in the team’s secondary. It’s true injuries limited Alexander to just 14 games over the last two seasons, but he is still a solid cornerback when healthy. There’s obvious talent at defensive back with McKinney at safety, and Keisan Nixon has two First Team All-Pro nods since arriving in Green Bay.
• Can Matthew Golden elevate the offense? The Packers drafted a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since Sterling Sharpe in 1988, causing Packers fans to rejoice at the decision. There’s a lot to like about Golden, from his 4.29 speed to his massive jump in production for Texas in 2024. Is he enough to improve a passing attack that was on the fringes of being a top 10 unit? Possibly; he excels at all three levels and can win contested catches.

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The Athletic (paywall)

One lingering question for every NFL team as the league’s summer break begins

Washington Commanders

Did the front office do enough to substantially help last season’s substandard defense?

The offseason plan was clear: Get bigger. Saquon Barkley dominated in three meetings, and many others ran over the Commanders. New linemen Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise are massive humans, and second-round cornerback Trey Amos brings good size on the perimeter. Washington needs a healthy CB Marshon Lattimore and a motivated DT Daron Payne. Early signs show promise on both fronts. Still, there are scant scary pass rushers and bigger isn’t always better versus the run. Expect more 4-3 formations in hopes of slowing down ground games. — Ben Standig

Philadelphia Eagles

How effective will the secondary be?

Slay and Gardner-Johnson are gone. Kelee Ringo is the front-runner to replace Slay. Sydney Brown is in the mix to replace Gardner-Johnson. Both defensive backs contributed to the 2023 unit’s dysfunctions as rookies who both started in at least four games. How much more have they developed? Will rookie Drew Mukuba start at safety instead? Will a strength of the top-ranked 2024 defense become a vulnerability opponents can regularly exploit? — Brooks Kubena

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Riggo’s Rag

Commanders’ new additions labeled injury-prone, except they’re not

One thing that has not been brought up as a concern for the Commanders is injuries. But don’t tell Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, who seems to think this is Washington’s biggest potential weakness.

In Benjamin’s article examining the biggest red flags for every NFL team in 2025, his blurb on Washington focuses on the injury history of wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. The only problem is that this is just untrue.

“Adam Peters wasted no time upgrading Daniels’ supporting cast by swinging trades for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil this offseason. The only issue is both Samuel and Tunsil, who will play vital roles in aiding and protecting Daniels, have missed extensive time due to injury in the last few years. Veteran defensive addition Javon Kinlaw falls in the same boat.”

Cody Benjamin

Tunsil has missed three games in the past three years, all in 2023. Samuel has made at least 13 appearances in each of the past four seasons. Kinlaw did have trouble staying on the field early in his career, but he hasn’t missed a contest since 2022.

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Podcasts & videos

Power Hour with Ryan Clark! Ranking all 32 Teams | The Mina Kimes Show

Commanders (#7) are discussed at the 13:40 mark

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2025 NFL Offseason grades for each NFC East team: Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, & Giants

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Dan Quinn on the support from the Washington D.C. community & history of The District | SC with SVP

Dan Quinn interview begins at the 3:00 minute mark

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NFC East links

Blogging the Boys

Ride or die: Understanding the financial commitment the Cowboys have in Dak Prescott

A closer look at Dak Prescott’s contract shows that the Cowboys are heavily committed to him for the next few years.

Less than a year ago, Prescott signed a new four-year, $240 million contract, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history.

On the surface, we know the team is committed to Prescott, but maybe in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, if things don’t go well, the team can get out of it. It might not be real soon, and it certainly will be expensive, but there has to be an escape hatch somewhere if things get really bad, right?

In the words of a piece of twine who’s at the end of its rope, “I’m a frayed knot.”

Prescott’s agent, Todd France, and the CAA Football agency made sure that their client had a room full of money where he could roll around in it like Scrooge McDuck. Not only is Prescott the highest-paid player in the NFL with an annual salary of $60 million, but they also worked some contract language that should help preserve some job security over the next few years.

With each new year that goes by, more guarantees are triggered, increasing the team’s overall investment. For example…

• $40 million of his 2026 base salary became fully guaranteed on March 16 of 2025
• $45 million of his 2027 base salary becomes fully guaranteed in March of 2026
• $17 million of his 2028 base salary becomes fully guaranteed in March of 2027

This means the front office must declare their commitment in the spring of every year without the knowledge of what the draft or training camp activity might bring them. Breaking it down by these time intervals, here is the financial commitment the Cowboys have with Prescott over the length of his contract.

Using a timeline, it looks like this…

This makes it really easy to identify [that the first] potential out for the Cowboys…is not until 2028. That means three more years of Dak, whether people like it or not.

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The Athletic (paywall)

Can anyone catch the Eagles? NFC East 2025 preview

Eagles (11.5 wins)

Key question: Can Saquon Barkley do that again?

The NFL couldn’t stop Barkley in 2024, but history suggests that his 436 carries in 20 total games — tied with 2014’s DeMarco Murray for the heaviest load since 2000 — might slow him in 2025. The Athletic’s Jim Ayello presents a strong case for this making Barkley the riskiest pick in fantasy football.

Better than 2024? No, but that’s OK.

They maintained continuity, mostly. But the Eagles lost OC Kellen Moore and eight key members of their defense, then saw their schedule difficulty increase more than any other team. (Prepare to read a lot about harder schedules today, since the NFC East has to play the stacked NFC North and AFC West, a year after getting the NFC South and AFC North.)

Commanders (9.5 wins)

Key question: Can their defense keep up?

Adding size was the offseason focus for Daniels and Washington’s defense. The latter needed it more, as the Commanders’ run defense allowed 1.93 yards before contact (fourth-most) and 4.8 yards per carry (tied for third-most). Their line needs DT Daron Payne to revert to Pro Bowl form. Early reports are promising.

Better than 2024? Yes, with a catch.

Daniels was the story, but Washington’s surprising offensive line was also why this team won 12 games. That group lost starting G Sam Cosmi to an ACL injury in January, but was smartly reinforced with Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil and first-round pick RT Josh Conerly Jr. Still, their unimposing defense and tougher path — they rank behind only the Eagles for the largest year-over-year increase in schedule difficulty — is why I expect regression here.

Cowboys (7.5 wins)

Key question: What can rookie head coach Brian Schottenheimer do with this offense?

The selection of Schottenheimer was uninspiring, an appropriate term for Dallas’ entire team lately. It’s been five years since he was a full-time play caller, but a healthy Dak Prescott, reliable target in Lamb, the deep threat of George Pickens and underrated Jake Ferguson offer Schottenheimer many options for a strong passing game. The problem is …

Position to watch: Running back.

All Dallas had to do last offseason was sign one of Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs. The Cowboys instead paired Ezekiel Elliott with Rico Dowdle. Results were as expected, with the Cowboys ranking 27th in rushing yards per game (100.3). This year’s group is led by the shell of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue. A committee is on the table.

Giants (5.5 wins)

Better than 2024? Yes.

This team is much improved. On paper. Their defensive line is the league’s most talented, their secondary is better after signing CB Paulson Adebo and S Jevon Holland, and their quarterback situation can’t be worse. But the league’s toughest schedule, based on both opponents’ winning percentage from 2024 and projected win totals for 2025, makes six wins a positive outcome here.

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NFL league links

Articles

Front Office Sports

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

Pittsburgh has made a rare flurry of big offseason moves, which should translate to strong TV ratings.

Ever since their glory days in the 1970s, the Steelers have been a top TV draw, along with the Cowboys and Packers. But the six-time Super Bowl-winning franchise hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. They’ve struggled at quarterback since two-time Super Bowl winner Ben Roethlisberger retired after 18 seasons in 2022.

But the Steelers’ offseason flurry of “win-now” moves is being cheered across sports media. Besides signing four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, they swung a blockbuster trade Monday with the Dolphins, swapping three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. They previously acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf and cornerback Darius Slay. NFL insiders are optimistic they’ll reach a deal with pass-rusher T.J. Watt. Put it all together, and interest is rising around the Steelers, which translates into bigger TV ratings for media partners.

“This is an all-in move. Very atypical of Pittsburgh. Very intriguing,” said former Dolphins GM turned ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum about the Ramsey trade on Monday’s Get Up. NBC Sports’s Matthew Berry wrote on X/Twitter: “Steelers gonna play ridiculous defense, run the hell out of the ball and win every game like 17-13.” On his show, Dan Le Batard said it will be a season of “uncommon pressure” for coach Mike Tomlin. The Super Bowl-winning coach “either gets further in the playoffs this year—or he’s in big trouble.”

Despite their lousy playoff record over the past decade, NFL schedulers put the Steelers in four nationally-televised primetime games this season: NFL Network’s telecast of the Steelers-Vikings international game from Dublin on Sept. 28; Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football stream of Steelers-Benglas on Oct. 16; NBC Sunday Night Football’s twin telecasts of Steelers-Packers on Oct. 26 and Steelers-Chargers on Nov. 9; and ESPN’s Monday Night Football telecast of Steelers-Dolphins on Dec. 15.

The Cowboys, Chiefs and Commanders lead the league with eight standalone regular-season game telecasts this season, followed by the Super Bowl champion Eagles with seven.

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Discussion topics

ESPN

NFL trade grades: Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jonnu Smith

• Steelers get: CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, 2027 seventh-round pick
• Dolphins get: S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2027 fifth-round pick

Steelers’ grade: C

Dolphins’ grade: A

This was truly a stunner.

While it had been made abundantly clear that Ramsey was not going to be on the Dolphins in 2025, the fact that it was the Steelers trading for him — there had long been rumors Ramsey might be headed back to the Rams — was a surprise. It was a complete shock that Fitzpatrick was the compensation in return. And Smith lumped in, too? Folks, this was a June blockbuster.

Let’s break this down from the more complex Steelers side first. By signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the team signaled it is taking a long-shot swing at another run while in the tail end of the T.J. Watt/Cameron Heyward era. It had money to spend — Pittsburgh has the third-most cap space in 2026. But adding Ramsey and Smith in exchange for Fitzpatrick is still jarring.

The financial compensation matters here. The Steelers are picking up nearly the entirety of Ramsey’s tab — the bulk of his $26.6 million in 2025 after giving him a light raise. That’s a pretty hefty amount of money for him at this stage in his career — and especially if he isn’t playing outside cornerback. Prior to this trade getting done, I wasn’t even sure Miami was going to find a team willing to pick up the entirety of Ramsey’s pre-raise contract. Yes, the Steelers have the cap room, but that they could take on the contract ought to have helped them in the trade negotiation; I don’t know if I see where it really did. Ramsey is under non-guaranteed team control for $21-24 million in cash in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028, per OverTheCap.com.

Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, has two years left on his deal and will cost Miami $15.5 million in 2025 and $17.6 million in 2026. Those terms probably offer the Dolphins good value for Fitzpatrick, who made the Pro Bowl again last season.

I don’t know that this move really improved Pittsburgh in 2025 or beyond, and it came at a cost. The optimistic view is that Ramsey has been a star in the past and can be a star again, and we might well look back on this trade as being part of the realization of that upside case for Pittsburgh’s defense.

Let’s flip over to Miami’s side here, which is both more straightforward and, from my perspective, a pretty clear win.

The Dolphins had been looking for a taker on Ramsey. I assumed this would involve the Dolphins eating a portion of Ramsey’s guaranteed salary, but they ended up finding a trade partner that took on just about the full freight. Losing Smith isn’t ideal, but the Dolphins’ offense is intended to funnel through Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who each took a step back last season. If all goes as planned for Miami, far more targets should go to the two wideouts again in 2025. And the same analysis on Smith holds here, too: The Dolphins — who are in a far tighter cap situation — didn’t want to overpay the tight end after a career year, and that makes sense.

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All aTwitter

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