Robert Kelley

Kelley has the lead job at the moment, but will have to fight Samaje Perine to keep that job, which if they both stay healthy, I think Perine wins.

Robert Kelley expected to open 2017 as starter

Washington Redskins beat reporter Rich Tandler believes Robert Kelley will open the 2017 season as the team's starting running back. "I don’t see any way that Kelley is not the running back on the field for the first offensive play of the year against the Eagles, making him the 'starter,'” Tandler said via CSN Mid-Atlantic. "After that, all bets are off. How it unfolds as the season wears on will be interesting to watch."

Fantasy Impact

The Redskins, who employ Kelley, Chris Thompson, Matt Jones and Samaje Perine at running back, appear to have a reliable stable of rushers entering the upcoming season. Although Kelley is expected to start, he is not a lock as Perrine, a rookie, could contest for the job. However, barring an unforeseen turn of events, Kelley will be the Week 1 bell cow. Thompson has the change of pace/ primary receiver out of the backfield role down pat, leaving Jones the odd man out of the equation. I wouldn't be surprised if Jones is released or waived at some point before training camp. After all, he was the subject of trade talks during the draft. Although Washington's backfield appears to be volatile, it's not. It's Kelley's job to lose. From a fantasy football perspective, Kelley is the team's RB1, but if you draft him, be sure to draft Perine as well. If Kelley struggles during the season, I'd expect the Redskins to turn to the rookie sooner rather than later.