The Washington Redskins need to look for a reinforcement at the running back position. If they do look in free agency, these should be their top three options.
For the past few seasons, the Washington Redskins have dealt with a lot of uncertainty at the running back position. During the 2017 season, thing reached a boiling point. In the 17 week season, the Redskins had nine different running backs on the roster. They dealt with many injuries, and also dealt with ineffective starters for most of the year.
Rob Kelley didn’t pan out as a starter. Samaje Perine flashed, but wasn’t consistent. Chris Thompson was the best of the bunch, but he broke his leg in the latter half of the season and that ended his breakout year. After that, everyone was merely a depth player, save for, perhaps, Kapri Bibbs. No matter what, there doesn’t appear to be a true workhorse on the back.
Because of this, the Redskins are going to have to look to find a true No. 1 back to take on the starting role. They could look to the free agent market to find that, and these are the top three options if the team does that.
This may not seem like an obvious fit. The Redskins already have one undersized running back that plays a major role in their offense. Why would they want another? Well, the answer is simple. Dion Lewis is a different player than Chris Thompson.
While Thompson focuses on catching the ball, Lewis is a great combo back. Between the tackles, Lewis has been one of the better players in the league at generating yardage. He had a solid offensive line blocking for him, but it was still an impressive performance nonetheless.
Before the Divisional Round, I highlighted Lewis as one of the top free agents to watch. Here’s what I said about him at the time.
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"Staying healthy for all 16 games for the first time in his career, Lewis saw 180 carries for 896 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns on the year. All of those numbers were career highs. In addition to his prowess as a running back, Lewis ended up catching 32 passes for 214 yards and three scores as well. He was a dynamic playmaker for the Patriots, but he really ended up going under the radar. On the year, only one running back averaged more yards per carry than Lewis. That was rookie sensation Alvin Kamara, whose mark of 5.8 led the league. Lewis averaged an even 5.0, and he was an explosive threat every time he touched the ball thanks to his great acceleration and agility. That’s how he was able to become an effective goal line back. He used his speed to get outside and his small 5-foot-8 frame to make defenders miss, as he was hard to target."
Lewis’ skill set speaks for itself. His shifty ability and his relative lack of touches over the past three years (378 total touches) makes him an attractive target. Provided that he can stay durable, he is excellent in space and should have a chance to be an explosive playmaker. The Redskins should take a long look at him, as he could add another dimension to an offense that is generally lacking in weaponry.
On the surface, Carlos Hyde isn’t anything more than a decent running back. In San Francisco, he has never been able to reach 1,000 yards, though he came close to the mark in 2016. In 2017, Hyde ran fairly well, but his numbers were merely decent. Hyde averaged 3.9 yards per carry, but he was a red zone hammer and also recorded a career high 59 catches and 350 receiving yards. For that reason, he should garner interest on the market.
Also, it’s worth noting that the 49ers offensive line wasn’t particularly good during the 2017 season. They completely lacked talent on the interior of the offensive line, as their guards were mediocre while their center play was awful. If they had upgraded personnel, Hyde could have had a better season. Of course, it’s also worth noting that backup Matt Breida averaged 4.4 yards per carry, so perhaps that is an indictment on Hyde.
Either way, Hyde is a player who could fit in with the Redskins. The Redskins need a three down back, and Hyde has the makings of one. Should he struggle as a pass catcher, Chris Thompson could continue serving as the top receiving back for the team. So, that pairing would make a lot of sense.
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Also, it’s worth noting that Hyde definitely would be an upgrade over the duo of Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine. Kelley is looking more and more like a limited backup who can’t stay healthy and should only be used in short yardage situations. He is strong and can fall forward, but he’s not good enough to function as a featured writing. Meanwhile, Perine has upside, especially in zone running concepts, but he profiles more as a backup.
Hyde, playing with an improved offensive line like the unit that the Redskins have, should be better and more consistent than both of the options the team currently has. Furthermore, Hyde is still relatively young, as he won’t turn 28 until midway through the season. Yes, there are injury concerns with him, but he still would be a worthwhile investment.
The best part about Hyde is that he probably won’t command a hefty salary. Hyde would likely sign for $4.5-$6 million annually, which is solid value on the current running back market. If a team is looking for a cheaper alternative with high-level upside, Hyde would qualify. For that reason, the Redskins should at least look into signing Hyde as their featured runner if they have the resources to do so.
Le’Veon Bell is on his way to becoming one of the best running backs of all time. Bell is the perfect modern day running back. He’s a three down player with excellent size and strength, but he’s versatile enough to be a great pass rusher. Additionally, he is one of the best receiving backs in the league, as his route running skills are off the charts. If he gets to the open market, there will be a major bidding war for his services.
Over the course of the past two seasons, Bell has touched the ball a ridiculous 742 times and has totaled 3,830 scrimmage yards and has scored 20 touchdowns. So, on a yearly basis, that would be 371 touches for 1,915 yards and 10 touchdowns. That type of production is fantastic and could instantaneously change any offense that signs him.
The Redskins have to be one of the teams that are interested in Bell. They have long lacked a top notch running back, as 2008 was the last year of Clinton Portis’ great run. Sure, the team got a run from Alfred Morris, but he regressed in every season after his excellent rookie campaign. They need a true three down back, and that’s something that Bell could definitely give the offense.
In the event that Kirk Cousins leaves, the Redskins could end up being the team that pays big money to get Bell. They could offer him a lucrative, multi-year deal that sees him get into his 30s. If they front load the deal with guarantees, they will protect themselves in the event that Bell slows down as most running backs do into their late 20s. Still, Bell is a once in a generation runner thanks to his trademark patience, strength, and agility.
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Bell could be the type of franchise changer that the Redskins need. If Cousins leaves and the team brings in a young quarterback, Bell could take the load off and carry the offense until the passer is ready to take the reigns and run a balanced offense. Either way, Bell would represent a huge upgrade for the team’s running game if they can land him.