Washington drafted Samaje Perine in the fourth round, and he's drawing some interest in rookie drafts, with the team's only noteworthy back the undrafted Robert Kelley. Perine is in line for the backup role, and maybe he'll even start right away. Team beat writers don't agree yet.
This article from CSN Midatlantic lays out the debate. One points to Kelley's mediocre yards per carry (4.2) and says although Kelley should open as the starter, Jay Gruden and the team should be looking for more.
Another thinks the rush to anoint Perine is premature - "this will remain Kelley's job." Those around the team have been impressed by Kelley's offseason work.
One area where Kelley underperformed last year is explosive runs -- carries of 20-plus yards. Among the 41 running backs with at least 100 attempts last year, Kelley was down in the bottom half of that group; just 4 such runs on 168 attempts. The vast majority of the running backs with fewer won't be starting in 2017.
Kelley isn't fast, but keep in mind that Perine probably isn't any faster; he ran a 4.65 at the combine. Kelley didn't run at the combine but was clocked in a similar range at Tulane's Pro Day.
In any case, with rookie drafts underway, makes sense to tap the brakes a little bit on the Perine hype. He isn't necessarily an upgrade on Kelley.
| RB RUNS OF 20-PLUS YARDS, 2016 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yds | Avg | Long | TD | 20+ |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 322 | 1631 | 5.1 | 60t | 15 | 14 |
| LeSean McCoy, Buff. | 234 | 1267 | 5.4 | 75t | 13 | 11 |
| Jay Ajayi, Mia. | 260 | 1272 | 4.9 | 62t | 8 | 10 |
| Jordan Howard, Chi. | 252 | 1313 | 5.2 | 69 | 6 | 10 |
| Isaiah Crowell, Clev. | 198 | 952 | 4.8 | 85t | 7 | 8 |
| LeGarrette Blount, N.E. | 299 | 1161 | 3.9 | 44 | 18 | 7 |
| Lamar Miller, Hou. | 268 | 1073 | 4.0 | 45 | 5 | 7 |
| Melvin Gordon, S.D. | 254 | 997 | 3.9 | 48 | 10 | 7 |
| Devonta Freeman, Atl. | 227 | 1079 | 4.8 | 75t | 11 | 7 |
| Carlos Hyde, S.F. | 217 | 988 | 4.6 | 47 | 6 | 7 |
| Mike Gillislee, Buff. | 101 | 577 | 5.7 | 44t | 8 | 7 |
| David Johnson, Ariz. | 293 | 1239 | 4.2 | 58t | 16 | 6 |
| Jonathan Stewart, Car. | 218 | 824 | 3.8 | 47 | 9 | 6 |
| Ryan Mathews, Phil. | 155 | 661 | 4.3 | 30 | 8 | 6 |
| Jeremy Hill, Cin. | 222 | 839 | 3.8 | 74t | 9 | 5 |
| Matt Forte, NYJ | 218 | 813 | 3.7 | 32 | 7 | 5 |
| Latavius Murray, Oak. | 195 | 788 | 4.0 | 42 | 12 | 5 |
| Terrance West, Balt. | 193 | 774 | 4.0 | 41 | 5 | 5 |
| Tevin Coleman, Atl. | 118 | 520 | 4.4 | 55t | 8 | 5 |
| DeMarco Murray, Tenn. | 293 | 1287 | 4.4 | 75t | 9 | 4 |
| LeVeon Bell, Pitt. | 261 | 1268 | 4.9 | 44 | 7 | 4 |
| Mark Ingram, N.O. | 205 | 1043 | 5.1 | 75t | 6 | 4 |
| Robert Kelley, Wash. | 168 | 704 | 4.2 | 66 | 6 | 4 |
| Tim Hightower, N.O. | 133 | 548 | 4.1 | 30 | 4 | 4 |
| Bilal Powell, NYJ | 131 | 722 | 5.5 | 35t | 3 | 4 |
| Spencer Ware, K.C. | 214 | 921 | 4.3 | 46 | 3 | 3 |
| Rashad Jennings, NYG | 181 | 593 | 3.3 | 25 | 3 | 3 |
| Jacquizz Rodgers, T.B. | 129 | 560 | 4.3 | 45 | 2 | 3 |
| Todd Gurley, L.A. | 278 | 885 | 3.2 | 24t | 6 | 2 |
| Jerick McKinnon, Minn. | 159 | 539 | 3.4 | 36 | 2 | 2 |
| Matt Asiata, Minn. | 121 | 402 | 3.3 | 29 | 6 | 2 |
| Chris Ivory, Jac. | 117 | 439 | 3.8 | 42 | 3 | 2 |
| Paul Perkins, NYG | 112 | 456 | 4.1 | 22 | 0 | 2 |
| Alfred Blue, Hou. | 100 | 420 | 4.2 | 25 | 1 | 2 |
| Frank Gore, Ind. | 263 | 1025 | 3.9 | 22 | 4 | 1 |
| C.J. Anderson, Den. | 110 | 437 | 4.0 | 28 | 4 | 1 |
| Derrick Henry, Tenn. | 110 | 490 | 4.5 | 22 | 5 | 1 |
| Thomas Rawls, Sea. | 109 | 349 | 3.2 | 45t | 3 | 1 |
| Devontae Booker, Den. | 174 | 612 | 3.5 | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| Doug Martin, T.B. | 144 | 421 | 2.9 | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| T.J. Yeldon, Jac. | 130 | 465 | 3.6 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
--Andy Richardson