The Washington Redskins have a deep running back corps, and there will be competition for the No. 3 running back spot, which is expected to be the final roster spot.
The Washington Redskins will no longer have Mike Shanahan as their head coach, and he has always been able to get the best out of his running backs.
Alfred Morris will return as the starter, but it remains to be seen whether he can adjust to no longer playing a zone-blocking scheme.
The 2012 sixth-round pick shouldn’t have too much of a problem doing so since he was able to rush for 248 yards in his final three games with Griffin out, and he finished with 1,275 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
However, Morris offers very little as a pass-catching back, and Jay Gruden likes his running backs who can contribute in the passing game. This may open the door for No. 2 running back Roy Helu.
Helu caught 31 passes for 241 yards in 2013, but he will likely be the third-down running back for the Redskins.
Darrel Young is the team’s starting fullback, so his roster spot should be secure. Gruden has assured that Young will have a major role in the offense.
The final running back roster spot will come down to a battle between Chris Thompson and Lache Seastrunk.
Thompson has one year of experience in the NFL, but he has yet to have a single carry. The ex-Florida State Seminole is looking to prove his worth as a third-down back and special teams contributor.
Seastrunk has plenty of upside and possesses electric speed, but his value in the return game isn’t as high as Thompson’s, which may give Thompson the upper hand.
The Redskins may choose to keep five running backs, but it’s looking like they will keep just four. Silas Redd and Evan Royster are as good as gone due to the overwhelming talent.
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