Washington Redskins Should Draft a Running Back

He’s durable, talented, and a fixture in the D.C. sports scene. His worst year without the burden of injury was 1,200-plus yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s 800-some yards shy of 10,000 rushing yards heading into his eighth season.

And for the latter reason, the Redskins should be considering the running back continuity plan to replace Clinton Portis in this year’s NFL Draft.

I get that Portis was a legitimate MVP candidate through the first half of the 2008 season. And I don’t dispute that he has a lot of talent left. But I do question how much body he has left, given that of all the active  NFL running backs, his body and his offensive system are a perfect storm for the premature ending of a career.

His offensive line is inconsistent. His physical build is powerful, but slight. And for a player who has carried the ball 20 times a game in 95 career starts, you have to consider that the potential for a major physical breakdown is sooner than later.

Just look at the top three active players on the all-time list in career rushing yards. Edgerrin James, LaDanian Tomlinson and Fred Taylor; all three embroiled in potential trade talks or whispers of being released this offseason.

Why? Because the 8-10 year mark is usually shut-down time for NFL running backs. Twelve years is the most, and even then, you’re treading very lightly.

Of the top 10 running backs on the all-time rushing yards list, only three spent their entire careers with one team: Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and Jim Brown. Two of those guys knew when to get out with a semblance of a pain-free life after football. Clinton Portis, in the next 2-3 years, should be the next great to take the early exit out.

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