Survey results reveal fans show the most interest in drafted rookies, especially RB Bill Croskey-Merritt, who has minimal experience. He surpassed the interest levels of players like 4th round pick Jaylin Lane. The veteran player preferred for a 2026 return is Deebo Samuel, capturing 28% of fan votes and significantly more than QB Marcus Mariota. In contrast, veteran players Bobby Wagner and Austin Ekeler, viewed as older prospects, attracted less favorable responses from the fan base. This indicates a shift towards favoring younger talent.
Fan excitement is highest for the drafted rookies, overshadowing returning second-year players, with RB Bill Croskey-Merritt generating notable buzz despite limited prior performance. When asked about which player fans wanted to return in 2026, Deebo Samuel dominated the votes, indicating strong interest in his potential impact compared to veterans like Bobby Wagner and Austin Ekeler.
Croskey-Merritt's buzz is surprising given he logged only 13 rushing attempts since the end of the 2023 season, yet he still garnered fan interest over others, including Jaylin Lane.
In the survey, Deebo Samuel received 28% of the votes, outperforming Marcus Mariota significantly, illustrating fans' preferences for younger talent over older players nearing the end of their careers.
Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, and Austin Ekeler all polled below 20%, revealing a strong inclination towards newer prospects and younger players among the fan base, marking a shift in interests.
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