One team that consistently shares my draft philosophy is the Philadelphia Eagles. I named them a draft winner last season and highlighted their selection of Cooper DeJean as an absolute steal, an assessment that proved accurate as he emerged as one of the most impressive rookies this year. In the 2023 NFL Draft, I also ranked their draft class as the best in the league.
This year, the Eagles continue to showcase their keen eye for talent, particularly with their interest in one of the most underrated running backs in the draft, Arizona’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The team met with him at the East-West Shrine Bowl, signaling their potential interest in selecting him as a late Day 3 pick. With the possibility of losing Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, the Eagles will likely look to add depth at running back in the 2025 NFL Draft and Croskey-Merritt could be the perfect fit.
A headliner in Frisco last week and the offensive MVP of the game, Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt met with a long list of teams at Shrine, including the following:
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 5, 2025
• Broncos
• Patriots
• Steelers
• Panthers
• Commanders
• Eagles
• Colts
• Bears
• 49ers
• Packers
Croskey-Merritt is a true sleeper in this class, mainly due to his limited exposure in 2024. After transferring to Arizona from New Mexico, he played just one game before the NCAA ruled that he had exhausted his collegiate eligibility, forcing him to sit out the rest of the season. However, his track record speaks for itself. He rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns for New Mexico in 2023, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. In his lone game for Arizona, he ran for over 100 yards on just 13 carries, averaging an impressive 8.2 yards per attempt.
As a pro prospect, the first thing that stands out about Croskey-Merritt is his elite speed. He is a true home run threat with the ball in his hands, combining breakaway acceleration with excellent vision. In 2023, he recorded 21 runs of 15 or more yards and finished the season with back to back 200 yard performances, becoming the first New Mexico running back to accomplish that feat. He continued to showcase his explosiveness at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he was named MVP after breaking off another long run.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt with some burst! @ArizonaFBall
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 31, 2025
📺: The 100th @ShrineBowl on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LilXUpYI0V
Another key trait that makes him a strong fit for the Eagles is his patience as a runner, something Philadelphia values in its backs. As a receiver, he has not been heavily utilized in the passing game, never catching more than 13 passes in a season. However, when targeted, he has displayed reliable hands, catching seven of eight passes in 2023 and recording just three drops over his six-year college career.
That said, there are some areas where he needs improvement. Croskey-Merritt is more of a one-cut, straight-line runner rather than an agile, elusive back. This also limits his ability as a receiver and affects his route-running versatility. Additionally, while he is a willing pass blocker, he must refine his technique at the next level.
Overall, Croskey-Merritt has the skill set to be a valuable late-round pick or priority free agent for the Eagles. If Gainwell departs in free agency, he could step in as the team’s third running back behind Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley, providing a dynamic speed threat in Philadelphia’s backfield.