Fansided
Fansided

Washington Redskins: 5 Roster Bubble Candidates Who Must Make the Team

By Craig Stofko

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Ziggy Hood #90 of the Washington Redskins waits in the tunnel before taking the field to play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 23: Ziggy Hood #90 of the Washington Redskins waits in the tunnel before taking the field to play against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Rob Kelley #20 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Rob Kelley

The fifth and final mistake Washington could make is the decision to go with only three Running Backs. Although, I think appears they may have already decided that four running backs are needed. If somehow they decide to make a go of it without Rob Kelley on the roster it will be a mistake they will live to regret.

More from NFL Mocks

If the Redskins are going to pound the ball between the tackles to set up play action for Alex Smith, Rob Kelley needs to be available to complement Darius Guice and Samaje Perine. Third down will take care of itself with Chris Thompson and the talented receiving corp working with Smith’s mobility and accuracy. But to pound it up the middle on first and second down behind Washington’s enormous and talented offensive line requires a third power back to help carry the load.

Expecting a rookie, I don’t care how good he is, and a second year back coming off an injury to foot the bill for at least 16 games is unrealistic. This role was custom-made for Fat Rob and if he’s not around when the Redskins need him it will cost the team dearly.

A team can not rely on the ‘Next Man Up’ mentality if the next man up is not on the roster. In the case of the Redskins backfield, the next man up needs to be Rob Kelley. Of course, in order for any of the aforementioned roster spots to be considered mistakes the players cited have to go out and earn it.

Next: The Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History

If any of them simply get beat out for a job it becomes a situation where the best man won. And that’s never a mistake, that’s just a team getting better.

Home/NFL Hot Takes