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Redskins RBs: Can Samaje Perine break out in Year 2 like Devonta Freeman?

By Jacob Camenker

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins cuts back on Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins cuts back on Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 10: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the sideline before the game against the New York Jets during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 10, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 10: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the sideline before the game against the New York Jets during a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 10, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Freeman’s career to date

Freeman was a fourth-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons out of Florida State. In his first season in the league, Freeman was stuck behind some talented running backs in Atlanta, including Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers, and because of this, he struggled to earn playing time. When on the field, Freeman wasn’t able to showcase much and didn’t show the ability that many had expected him to. As a result, he stayed buried on the depth chart and was a forgotten man.

By the end of his rookie season, Freeman only totaled 248 yards and a touchdown, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. He added 30 catches for 225 receiving yards and a score, but it wasn’t enough to give anyone confidence that he could become a solid playmaker.

Going into his second season, Freeman was essentially written off by fans and analysts alike. Following the selection of Tevin Coleman in the third round of the 2015 draft, many expected that Coleman would become the lead back and that Freeman would be, at most, a backup. Perhaps he would take the receiving back role from the departed Rodgers.

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Instead, Freeman became the unquestioned starter for the Falcons and put up a 1,000-yard season, scored a league-leading 11 times, and caught 73 passes. He was one of the better backs in the league and did all of this despite averaging just 4.0 yards per carry, which is a fairly average mark for a starter.

After that season, Freeman continued to improve, using his mix of agility and balance to beat opposing teams. Despite lacking size, he found a way to become a between-the-tackles runner and has become an important part of the Falcons offense. Now, he is perennially considered to be among the top 15 running backs in the league, if not, the top 10.

Freeman’s tale demonstrates something important that many forget. Rookie seasons aren’t always indicative of future success. Freeman looked like a bust in his first year, and because he didn’t have good speed or size, he was at a disadvantage. But, he found a running style that worked for him and gradually improved over the course of three years. Sometimes, development can occur slowly at the NFL level, and Freeman is a good example of that.

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