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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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by Manti Te’o #51 of the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 19: Samaje Perine #32 of the Washington Redskins is tackled by Manti Te’o #51 of the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

The Point

Perine has some similarities to Freeman. They were both fourth-round picks. They both didn’t have the requisite speed that teams look for in lead backs. And, they had underwhelming rookie seasons. That shouldn’t discourage any from thinking that Perine can’t develop into a fine starting running back this season.

There’s no doubting that Guice was a better prospect that Perine. Guice already had a stranglehold on the starting running back job, and it seemed that Perine was ready to be pushed off the roster bubble by Kelley. But things change rapidly in the NFL, and the Redskins are going to have to adjust on the fly. With Kelley and Perine now seeming likely to make the roster, they will have a chance to compete for the job. Still, Perine should win it, especially if he can improve over the course of the preseason after a solid performance in the first week.

This is Perine’s defining moment. He wasn’t supposed to have a chance to win the starting job. He was supposed to be fighting for a backup role. Now, things have changed. He demonstrated good vision in the first preseason game and with a few minor tweaks, he could be a vastly improved player. He could be trusted as the lead back this year, and that could end up paying off for the Redskins. Of course, all of this is hypothetical, but we will have answers in the near future.

Next. 5 veteran running backs to consider after Guice's injury. dark

Perine doesn’t have to look hard to find a similar situation to his. If he can make a Freeman-like jump in his second year and become a steady threat for the Redskins offense, the team should be improved all-around. It’s questionable whether or not that will happen, but Perine will have to step up now. It’s his time. If he misses out on this opportunity, he may not get another chance in the NFL.

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