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Breaking down the Redskins’ running back depth chart for 2019

By Jacob Camenker

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Adrian Peterson #26 of the Washington Redskins rushes during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 11: Derrius Guice #5 of the LSU Tigers walks off the field after playing the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 11: Derrius Guice #5 of the LSU Tigers walks off the field after playing the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Starters: RBs Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson

To start the season, I think that the Redskins are going to use Guice and Peterson fairly equally. It would make sense to do that for a couple of reasons.

First of all, Guice is coming off a torn ACL. While he will have more than a year of recovery time ahead of the 2019 campaign, it will be important for the team not to ask too much of him too quickly. Keep in mind that while Guice has talent and can be an elusive playmaker, he has yet to play a down in the NFL. After a year away from the game, the team has to make sure he doesn’t get beat-up quickly.

Meanwhile, Peterson surprised many last season and ended up emerging as the top back on the Redskins roster. He ran for over 1,000 yards and looked really solid to start the season. However, as the year went along, his performance tailed off a bit. This was related partially to the demise of the offensive line, but it also had to do with Peterson’s advanced age for a running back. He’s now 34, and he could truly slow down at any time.

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In order to keep Guice healthy and Peterson fresh, it might make sense for Washington to split carries early in the season. Both Guice and Peterson would likely be amenable to sharing a backfield as Guice has expressed excitement to learn from AP. Meanwhile, so long as Peterson is getting regular carries, unlike his time in a three-way split with the Saints, he will be okay.

And yes, I acknowledge that the ‘Skins will likely be using a three-way split as well. The difference is that their receiving back won’t handle as much between-the-tackles work as Alvin Kamara did. So, Peterson will still get about 15 touches per game early on, especially if the Redskins are as run-heavy as many are projecting.

As the season goes along, the Redskins can then slowly but surely give Guice more of the workload as they make him the featured back. But Peterson will still be a factor. If the team can have two solid starters and keep them happy, they will have a chance to be one of the deeper backfields in the NFL. That’s why this system makes sense and could be a boon for Jay Gruden and his coaching staff.

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