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Redskins vs. Broncos: 5 position battles to watch in Preseason Week 3

By Jacob Camenker

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 9 : Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins hands the ball off to Rob Kelley #20 during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 9 : Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins hands the ball off to Rob Kelley #20 during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Washington Redskins at Gillette Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against 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: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1. Running Back Battle

Rob Kelley vs. Adrian Peterson vs. Kapri Bibbs vs. De’Veon Smith

It’s important to note that I’m not including Chris Thompson in this because he’s clearly going to be the third down/change of pace back. The rest of the competition is wide open especially with Samaje Perine dealing with an ankle injury and Adrian Peterson joining the roster.

While many are assuming that Peterson will come in and be the starter right away, it seems that he will have to earn that role. Gruden really likes Kelley, for better or for worse, and he will probably get the first crack at the starting job because of this. Peterson will challenge him — provided that he can learn the system and avoid fumbling, which has been a big problem for him during his career.

Elsewhere on the squad, Bibbs will get his best chance to prove that he belongs on the roster this week as well. With Byron Marshall out, Bibbs has a chance to establish himself as the backup receiving back if he can continue to catch passes and play better between the tackles, as he did in preseason Week 2. With extended second-half action, he will have plenty of opportunities to prove himself.

Next. 5 Redskins to watch in preseason Week 3. dark

Finally, Smith, a man who flew under the radar after the Redskins signed Peterson, was also added to the roster this week. I like Smith as a potential camp body/practice squad player. He’s a slightly more athletic version of Kelley with better vision. I’ll be interested to see how much work he gets and if he can make a case to be stashed on the practice squad as depth.

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