Redskins: Rob Kelley reportedly looking good during OTAs
The Washington Redskins appear to be enduring another changing of the guard at the running back position. But Rob Kelley is still going to do everything he can to make the team.
When the Washington Redskins selected Derrius Guice in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, it became abundantly clear that they were preparing to revamp their rushing offense. After a lackluster few seasons that had seen them start three different players on three consecutive opening weeks, the team deemed it time to find a three-down back. And Guice should give them that.
It was also assumed that the primary spots behind Guice would go to Chris Thompson and Samaje Perine. Thompson had a breakout campaign in 2017 before landing on IR with a broken leg, but he figures to continue to be one of the better receiving backs in the game. Meanwhile, Perine was a fourth round pick who flashed as a rookie in 2017. He still has room for improvement and along with Guice, he could form a fearful one-two punch at the position.
Lost among this chatter has been Rob Kelley. In Week 1 of last season, Kelley was the starter for the Redskins and he continued on in that role before suffering a season ending injury. Because of his general lack of effectiveness in the role last season, many assumed that the former undrafted free agent may not make the roster in 2018.
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However, according to NBC Sports Washington’s Rich Tandler, Kelley looked good during OTAs. Here’s what Tandler said about Kelley on Twitter.
“Fat Rob” Kelley never was fat but he looked particularly lean and mean today. The competition from the team drafting RBs in the fourth and second rounds the last two years tends to spur that little bit extra out of a player. Keep an eye on him. 2/3
— Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) May 23, 2018
Tandler makes a good point that Kelley could be motivated to try extra hard and make the squad. With Guice, Perine, and Thompson all virtually guaranteed roster spots, Kelley is facing stiff competition for that fourth running back spot on the roster.
Among the top candidates for the fourth spot are Kelley, Kapri Bibbs, and Martez Carter. Bibbs was signed off the street last season after the Redskins endured so many injuries to their running back corps. He was a great receiving back and did well to replace Thompson. Bibbs ended up catching 14 passes for 128 yards and a score, and he also totaled 79 rushing yards on 21 carries too. His combo ability was thought to give him a slight edge over Kelley.
Meanwhile, Carter is an undersized undrafted free agent out of NC A&T who was nicknamed “Mr. Excitement” during his collegiate days. Despite his lacking size, Carter is an explosive playmaking threat and also figures to be a great passing back in the NFL. I projected him to win the fourth running back job in a recent depth chart analysis, but the competition will be tough.
Though Kelley doesn’t have the same receiving ability as either of these players, he does have two year of experience in the Redskins offense. He’s also a tough, physical runner who can plow forward for extra yards. He’s a lot different than the others he is fighting for a spot, but if this report is any indication, he should have a shot to make the roster.
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It’s way too early to write Kelley off the roster. He will have a chance to prove himself and he well could win the final spot in the rotation. It will be interesting to see what the Redskins value more at that point. Toughness, consistency, or versatility.