Redskins Deep Dive: An in-depth evaluation of the running backs

Depth chart prediction

As stated before, there are a lot of players to evaluate. So let’s go through the list name by name.

Adrian Peterson, in my mind, is on the roster. He will split carries with Guice as the primary first and second down backs. His vision and toughness as a multiple-down back, as well as his insane ability to not age, gives the Redskins the perfect one-two punch when paired with a young and explosive Guice. With 4.3 yards per attempt in 2019, his efficiency as a primary down back even when splitting carries was remarkable. Expect another solid year in the RB slot 2 from the future Hall of Famer.

Derrius Guice is what fans and the team hope to be the future of the franchise. When healthy, he is the starting running back for the team. However, with only five games under his belt entering his third season, multiple knee injuries cast the cloud of injury-prone player right over his head. But some of the highlights from his 2019 season make it clear why fans and the team are willing to take whatever risk is involved investing in him for the long haul. His breakout performance against the Panthers in Week 13 saw him go for 129 yards, averaging 12.9 yards per carry, and a pair of trips to the endzone. His future is incredibly bright. Lock him in at RB slot 1.

J.D. McKissic brings more than just running to the running back room. Not only did McKissic play wide receiver in college, but he played wide receiver at a productive level. He finished his college career with 2,838 yards through the air and 11 touchdowns. But his size brought him to play running back at the pro-level, and his athleticism made the transition easy. The Redskins need McKissic to help replace the loss of Chris Thompson. His role in spread formations, in the screen game and in outside swing passing plays is something that Peterson simply can’t do. My guess is that his chance of making the team is a 50/50 along with Peyton Barber

Peyton Barber, at 5-11, 225, is a bigger option to the 195-pound McKissic. He also produced much more on the ground in 2019 than McKissic did. On 154 rushes, Barber racked up 470 yards, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. He also added 115 yards receiving last year. His numbers are far from flashy, but his production in Tampa gave the Redskins what the wanted to bring him in and compete for the spot.

Bryce Love simply needs to be healthy for training camp if he wants a chance to make the roster. Drafted in 2019, he took his entire rookie season to rehab after his injury in college. The Redskins saw him and, in a way, still see him as an investment for the future. But time is ticking as the roster fills with competition for the running back spot. We will see how healthy he is as training camp approaches because if he isn’t healthy, he will more than likely be a part of the roster cut down.

Antonio Gibson will make the team, not just because of his third-down flexibility, but his versatility lining up in the slot, and even outside at times. He can, and will, push either Barber or McKissic out of the way for the roster spot. His flexibility at the position will give new offensive coordinator Scott Turner an open playbook to experiment with.