Washington Redskins Free Agency Bargain Bin: Felix Jones
The Washington Redskins put up the number-one rushing attack in all of football last season behind the legs of Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III, but with most of last year’s production coming from those two, the Skins should look to add some depth to the running game this offseason.
I wrote last month that the Redskins should check out Denard Robinson as a super-flex player that could serve as an option quarterback, a wide receiver or a tailback, and while I still stand behind that belief (along with the one that Washington should bring back Brandon Banks and his blazing speed), they also need to bring in a pure running back that can take some pressure off second-year starter Morris.
This year’s free agent running back class is led by Stephen Jackson and Ahmad Bradshaw. Looking into the second tier, former Falcons star Michael Turner, New England role player Danny Woodhead and former Jet Shonn Greene could all make some noise if placed in the proper setting, however the Redskins would be best served finding the perfect complement to Morris; a speedy, agile back that can provide a change of pace to the Washington offense.
November 11, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones (28) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
How about former rival Felix Jones?
After trading the starting role on and off with Oklahoma product DeMarco Murray for the last two seasons, Jones finds himself as a small fish in a big pond of free agent running backs this year. His pure speed differentiates him from combo backs such as Jackson, Turner and Bradshaw, and makes him the perfect candidate join Alfred Morris as a potentially-dangerous 1-2 punch in the Washington backfield.
Current Redskins backup Evan Royster is not particularly quick, and ran for just 88 yards on 23 carries in 2012. While he’s shown glimpses of his high potential in his two seasons in Washington, the Redskins are a playoff contender now and can’t afford to wait around for Royster to develop consistency. While he may make a solid third-string tailback, the Redskins would be much better off adding someone like Jones to see regular carries behind Morris.
Jones has started 15 games over the last two seasons, and while injuries have been an issue, perhaps selling him on Washington’s dominant running game would convince him to take a lesser role with the Redskins. But those 15 starts are still important, because whoever the Redskins bring in would need to be able to ease the workload of Morris. The rookie carried the ball 335 times last year, and while he was one of the most effective workhorses in the league, he can’t afford to see that many touches year-in and year-out if he wants to sustain a long, healthy career. Jones can handle semi-regular touches, and the change of pace in Jones’ running style will make Morris just as effective (if not more) this season as last despite a dip in touches.
The final thing that makes Jones effective, like any other player I mention in this “Bargain Bin” series, is his price. This year’s free agent class seems to have depth at nearly every position, and running back is no exception. With the likes of Bradshaw, Jackson, Turner, Greene, Woodhead, Reggie Bush and Rashard Mendenhall among others all looking for new homes this offseason, Jones will not attract as much attention as he normally would, meaning the Redskins could hopefully swoop in and sign him at a reasonable price.
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