Fantasy Football: Analyzing the Downside for Each Relevant Rookie Running Back

Samaje Perine, Washington Redskins

Downside: Goal line and passing-down opportunities

From strictly an opportunity standpoint, Samaje Perine might be in the best spot among all rookie running backs. The difference is just that he's not as strong of a prospect as a Joe Mixon or Leonard Fournette, so he won't be selected as high in fantasy drafts.

Still, Perine could -- and he should -- serve as the early-down back in Washington this year. Unless you like your running backs slow and not very productive (I'm looking at you, Rob Kelley).

We still don't know if Perine will be a goal line guy (Kelley is still on the roster), and if he is that player, know that, last season, Washington had the second-highest pass-to-run ratio when the play started within their opponents' five-yard line. Despite running the 13th-most plays from that area of the field, they ran the 10th-fewest rushes.

Chris Thompson is also still in Washington. He ended up seeing 10.21% of their targets a season ago, and Perine himself only caught 3.69% of Oklahoma's passes (10 receptions) last season. Even without Mixon in his Oklahoma backfield in 2014, Perine caught just 15 balls.

There are some question marks for Perine. But, man, is he in a good spot or what?