Preview
Washington’s back field situation isn’t one that you should want to have start for your fantasy team with 3 players having history of injury problems and the 4th being a 34-year-old veteran. However, with injury comes opportunity for others to step up and help your fantasy team in tight pinches. Here are the guys to keep an eye on heading into Redskin’s Training Camp.
Derrius Guice
Guice was selected 59th overall in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL draft. The LSU product pops when you watch him on film, but we were all robbed of watching him last year as he tore his ACL before playing a single down in the NFL. This year, the Redskins resigned Adrian Peterson and drafted Bryce Love, which on the surface, brings worry about Guice and his injury, but Peterson looks to be there to help Guice ease back into his role and Love is still recovering from his own ACL tear and will take a “red shirt” season this year. John Keim, Redskins beat writer, says the Guice would is “fully cleared” and ready to go for training camp. This is good news for Guice as he will challenge to be the lead back for Washington sooner rather than later. If Guice stays healthy this season, he will excel in early down work, but with not having the pass catching skills to become a complete 3-down back, his upside may be limited, even if healthy.
Projections
Rush:175.4/rush yds:746/rush td:5.3/rec: 24.8/ rec yds:214.3/rec td:.08/fumbles: 1.6
Adrain Peterson
The Redskins brought back Adrian Peterson back on a 2yr, $8 million contract. Peterson showed last year that he still has plenty in the tank as he rushed for over 1000 yards in 16 games during the 2018 campaign with a bad offensive line and says he wants to have another 1000 yard rushing season in 2019. If Guice isn’t ready to go for the season, Peterson is going in the later rounds of drafts, which for a guy who is looking like he’ll be the starter in Washington, is great value for any fantasy team.
Projections
Rush: 123.8/rush yds: 516.5/rush tds:3.4/rec:13.3/rec yds:106.5/red td:0.4/fumbles: 0.9
Chris Thompson
Chris Thompson, who has recovered from his rib and ankle injury from last year, may be the only running back heading into training camp knowing what his role is with the team and that would be pass catching. JP finlay of NBC Sports Washington says Thomspson is a lock for the third down work as Guice and Peterson split early down work, but that would leave very little carries for Thompson. Thompson exceled when he was on the field as in the 10 games he was in, 4 of them he caught at least 5 passes, showing he’s a capable PPR option. While Thompson’s role may seem secure, it’s not a guarantee that he plays all 16 having missed 6 games in both of the last two years as well as the fact that his contract is up at the end of the season. The team seemed to have drafted a potential replacement for Thompson in Bryce Love, but for now third down is the Chris Thompson’s show in D.C.
Projections
Rush: 55.9/rush yds: 233.4/rush td:0.9/recs: 49.3/rec yds:382.1/rec tds: 1.8/fumbles:0.9
Bryce Love
Drafted in the 4th round of this year’s draft, Bryce Love looks to show why he was in the Heisman talks his Junior year at Stanford, but that will more than likely have to wait another season as he is recovering from a torn ACL in December and is taking a “red shirt” season. Love can catch the ball out of the back field and with Thompson’s contract up at the end of the year, he’s more of a dynasty stash than a redraft option, no matter how deep your league is, but is a guy to remember for next year.
Overview
Washington Redskins running back coach, Randy Jordan, said in June that early down work would be split from 50/50 to 60/40, while leaving 3rd down to Chris Thompson. Peterson looks to get the 60% of carries early on in Washington as they bring Guice along slowly, but will eventually see less carries as Washington, a team that is rebuilding, sees what they have in Derrius Guice. When either of the two start, they will provide as a solid RB2. Chris Thompson provides a lot value in the passing game, but that’s looking like the only role he’ll have for the team as he won’t get much early down work. Thompson looks to be a guy who you can add of the waiver wire during the season and able to play him when bye weeks hit.
Matt FF Bradley 