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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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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) /

Top Backup: RBs Samaje Perine

The Redskins have a lot of options regarding who they can keep as depth at the running back position. That said, none are better than Samaje Perine.

Perine only got eight carries last year but turned them in 32 yards despite running behind a demolished offensive line. If Peterson tires as his age-34 season goes along, Perine could step in as the top backup to Guice and use his one-cut power to have an impact on the ‘Skins, especially if they are a run-heavy team like many expect.

I’ve long been a fan of Perine’s game and think that he can work as part of a successful backfield rotation. Here’s what I said about Perine in a recent piece.

More from Riggo's Rag

"Perine hasn’t been given enough of a chance at the NFL level to prove himself, but he did well in 2017 running behind a banged-up offensive line. Perine has good one-cut ability and the strength to be a powerful downhill runner. Jay Gruden hinted at getting Perine some more work at the offseason owners meetings, so perhaps he will showcase his potential in the preseason and show the team what they missed after they failed to give him a chance to prove himself last year. And for those that want to complain about his fumbling numbers, those issues are overblown. Perine has only fumbled twice on 208 NFL touches. While he may have cost the team with those drops, he is only slightly below average in the fumble rate category (104 touches per fumble, 125 is about league average). Comparatively, Peterson has fumbled every 68.8 touches during his career, albeit in a much larger sample size. Either way, the point stands that Perine has untapped potential and could play a role in a solid backfield."

Perine was the fourth back on the roster for much of last year but he could fill in as a backup for Guice or Peterson in a pinch. That’s a valuable asset to have and if he can find a way to play on special teams, he could see more activity on game days.

It is possible that Perine could be cut if the other backs on the roster step up. But I think Gruden tipped his hand a bit last year by cutting Kapri Bibbs, who had played well as the backup to Chris Thompson, instead of dropping Perine. That coupled with his comments about wanting to get Perine more work could give him a chance to earn a role in the backfield.

Either way, we’re talking about Perine as a depth option. He can certainly be relied on in that role, especially given how much he was able to do in limited action over two seasons behind some beat-up offensive lines. Unless he regresses in the preseason, I think he should be favored to hold down the fourth RB spot.

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