Washington Redskins pre-2018 NFL Draft roster analysis
By Ian Cummings
Running Back
Starter: Robert Kelley
Third-Down Back: Chris Thompson
Reserves: Samaje Perine, Kapri Bibbs, Byron Marshall, Keith Marshall
This position group needs the most work, perhaps. And it’s not that this is a bad group of players. Robert Kelley is an experienced player who brings depth. Samaje Perine has a similar skill set, but he’s younger, and can work on his vision to make his cuts more useful at the line.
The most reliable back in this group is the team’s third-down option: former fifth-round pick Chris Thompson. Thompson posted career numbers in receiving last year, and was on his way to doing the same as a change-of-pace runner when he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints. The loss of Thompson drastically hurt the Washington Redskins offense, and the impact of his return cannot be overstated. He still has some time before he can be called a full participant. But he is reportedly making progress.
Behind those three, there are names to watch, but nothing more. Kapri Bibbs, in particular, became a fan favorite late in 2017 when he took on substantial snaps for the team, and if he continues to shine, he could give the Washington Redskins decision makers a tough choice to mull over. But if another running back is added in the 2018 NFL Draft, which is likely, then Bibbs will have to beat out Robert Kelley to make the roster (moving on from Perine seems unlikely at this point).
Keith and Byron Marshall have an uphill battle facing them if they wish to stay, but if either one manages to do it, it will be Keith Marshall. Keith Marshall, still just 24 years old, is coming off a second consecutive season on injured reserve, but if he can recover, he has the skill set to surprise. At 5-foot-11, 220, he still managed to run a 4.31 at the NFL Combine in 2016, and he logged 25 bench reps as well. He has the physical ability to be an effective runner; but he lacks polish and experience, and so those will be areas for him to focus on moving forward.
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The Washington Redskins have been vocal about their desire to add a starting caliber running back; as serviceable as Kelley and Perine have made themselves appear to be in recent years, both have fundamental deficiencies that will keep them from ever being top-half backs in the league. Kelley’s lack of quickness and vision is alarming, while Perine has the same issues, albeit to a lesser degree.
There’s no denying the fact that acquiring a do-it-all running back would immensely help the Washington Redskins new offensive leader, Alex Smith. Smith thrived with such a running attack in his year’s at Kansas City, first with Jamaal Charles and then with Spencer Ware and most recently Kareem Hunt.
Running the football is something Jay Gruden has wanted to do for a long time, but he’s never had running backs talented enough to do it on a consistent basis. In the 2018 NFL Draft, he should have plenty to choose from if he wants to change this. Derrius Guice’s angry style and all-around prowess makes him a viable pick in Round 1, whether at No. 13 or later, and if by some miracle Saquon Barkley falls, it would be hard not to snatch him up.
In Round 2, the options are more plentiful. It’s hard to tell who exactly will be available at the No. 12 pick in Round 2, but the names likely to still be around at that juncture include Georgia’s Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, USC’s Ronald Jones II, Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson, and San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny.
Whether in Round 1 or Round 2, the Washington Redskins need to come away with a running back, and if they don’t in those rounds, then they’d better be head over heels for whoever they pick later on. Once the Washington Redskins pick a back in Round 1 or Round 2, they should do their best not to add another. The position will already be clogged as it is. There are only so many snaps that can go around, and unless they want to completely overhaul the position, then all they need is a two-down player who can pick up the slack where Kelley and Perine fall short.