The Redskins leveraged the full extent of Mike Shanahan’s ability to pick running backs by dumping any and all players over the age of 25 at this position. The Redskins will need to learn on their running game more than they have done so at any point in recent memory, and would greatly benefit in the standings from having a dynamic group that can lead the offensive charge. A big step was made in the decision to move Mike Sellers to Tight End, going exclusively with youth at this position.
Incumbent Runningbacks and Fullbacks: RB Ryan Torain, RB/FB Keiland Williams, RB James Davis, FB Darrel Young
Runningbacks/Fullbacks added via the draft: RB Roy Helu Jr., RB Evan Royster
Redskin Acquisitions: RB Tim Hightower from Arizona (for DE Vonnie Holliday and a conditional 6th round pick)
The 6th round pick can become a 5th if Hightower hits certain playing time requirements, though if the reports on how Kyle Shanahan plans on using him are to be believed: as a glorified third down back, Hightower is unlikely to cost the Redskins more than a 6th round pick.
It also makes quite obvious that the plan for Evan Royster is that the Redskins plan to pass him through waivers and stash him on the practice squad in case he is needed later this season. There would have been no need to acquire Tim Hightower if it was important to the Shanahan’s that Royster makes the opening day roster. Roy Helu was a virtual lock for the roster from the moment the Redskins traded up to draft him.
He’s also the best player that the Redskins have at this position. I have nothing against Ryan Torain, or Keiland Williams, or Tim Hightower, but you’re looking at two undrafted players and a late round pick. Helu was a trade up candidate in the middle rounds, which if you do the math, means the Redskins likely had a second round grade on him if not higher. I claimed on the night of the Hightower trade that he would likely force Torain off the roster and start until Helu was ready. That may still happen, but the Redskins appear committed to using Hightower’s ability and experience as an NFL back on third downs where the team has had a void ever since Jim Zorn decided to stop using Clinton Portis in that role.
If Hightower is exclusively a third down back and special teams player, and not in the RB rotation, that would mean that the Redskins are going to roster two players ahead of him to be the primary carriers in the offense. Based on merit alone, that would mean that Keiland Williams and Helu are safe. Everyone else is out. But the Redskins, in anticipation of this, are working Keiland Williams in at fullback along with Darrel Young. It would appear that this means they have already decided that a majority of the carries are going to go to Helu and to Ryan Torain.
If the tea leaves are being read correctly, then things are already pretty clear at this position: Royster will hit waivers en route to the practice squad. Torain and Helu are RBs 1 and 1a, and both are safe. Hightower will represent on special teams and be the Redskins third down back, active for all 16 games. He will replace Keiland Williams in that role. Williams will replace Sellers. And Darrel Young, who the team really likes, is still in line to have a spot on the team, so long as the Redskins do not opt to keep four TEs. Young could be temporarily out if the Redskins choose to keep Sellers and Logan Paulsen, and to not trade Chris Cooley or Fred Davis (there’s not really a tight end market out there anyway, see: Miller, Zach). But by temporarily, I mean he’ll be pushed through waivers, and then one injury brings him right back up to the active roster.
So things would appear to be pretty clear here. Is this an optimal use of the team’s personnel at RB? Probably not. But it’s clearly defined roles for five different players, and because it’s a Mike Shanahan coached team, things are still up in the air for a RB like Shaun Draughn to come in and change the teams’ plans. Being put on the practice squad at this position isn’t a slight, it just puts a player one hit away from becoming a lead back on the team. It appears Hightower was acquired for specific high leverage situations, not to be a high quantity player. They can find younger, cheaper, more effective backs to do the dirty work.
In other words, business as usual.
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