With one of their fourth-round picks (114th overall), the Washington Redskins have selected running back Samaje Perine out of the University of Oklahoma. Perine will fit nicely in Redskins head coach Jay Gruden’s offensive scheme and should play a major role with the burgundy and gold for years to come.
The Redskins have been openly shopping running back Matt Jones, and the team drafting Perine pretty much seals his fate in DC. Redskins coach Jay Gruden sounds like a man who’s not showing his cards when asked about Jones at this point. “He’s here just like everybody. I’ve mentioned it before; if you sign a guy, it doesn’t mean the end of the world for somebody who was his backup or what have you last year. Everybody has to come in here and compete. Anybody who knows me and the way we’ve done business here in the past, we play the best player. We don’t play the politically correct player, we will play the player who performs the best, and everybody is going to get a chance.”
During his time in Norman, Perine rushed 685 times for 4122 yards, with 49 touchdowns. He also added 40 catches for 321 yards and two touchdowns. It should be noted that Perine had over 1000 yards rushing last year while splitting carries with fellow Sooner Joe Mixon.
The Redskins get exactly what they need in Perine, a physical runner who can create additional yardage through power and can be a complimentary “banger” for a team who already has a slasher. He should team well with Robert “Fat Rob” Kelley and Chris Thompson in Washington’s backfield.
“Well, there’s a lot to like,” said Gruden. “He was very productive in his years at Oklahoma. He’s a physical runner, without a doubt. Nobody can argue that point. We got a chance to interview him and sit down with him at the combine. He’s also a leader-type player, but really when it comes down to it, he can get from here to there – physically. He’s a physical runner and had a lot of production and a lot of yards. He’s a great kid. I think he’s got a chance to be a special team player, also. He’s done some of that in his career. Can’t argue the production and the toughness that he has, and that’s what drew us to him.”
Washington ranked 29th in red zone TD efficiency in 2016. Perine can help with that conversion rate and has the ability to emerge as a spot-starter for the Redskins. –Mark Dulgerian
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