What to expect from Chiefs running back DeAndre Washington
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs added another pass-catching running back to the fold in DeAndre Washington. We asked a Raiders expert what to expect.
On Wednesday, news leaked about the latest roster signing for the Kansas City Chiefs in former Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington. The addition of Washington to the offense makes the running backs room that much more crowded coming into a preseason that’s highly unpredictable given the current quarantine order due to the coronavirus.
Last year, Washington had 108 carries for 387 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 36 passes for 292 receiving yards in 16 games.
It’s easy to look at a stat sheet and make assumptions about a player, but we wanted to ask a Raiders expert what to expect (or not) from Washington. Thankfully Brad Weiss from our sister site, Just Blog Baby, was willing to answer our questions.
The Chiefs just grabbed DeAndre Washington. How high or low should fans keep their expectations about his offensive involvement?
While Washington was never the main back with the Raiders, he did perform well in that role late in the season. In the Week 17 loss to Denver, he actually started over Jalen Richard, and rushed for 75-plus yards on 17 carries to go along with eight receptions. He has that kind of ability once he gets the opportunities, but it is never a role he was asked to take.
Expectations for Washington should be in the middle, because he is never going to be the three-down back the Chiefs need, but he also can be a playmaker with the ball in his hands. If the expectations stays at around 15 touches a game, Washington can be an impact player, especially on this Chiefs offense.
What kept Washington from staving off Jalen Richards at a greater level?
Richard proved himself to be a tremendous pass-catching back the last two seasons, which was the kind of complimentary player the Raiders needed with guys like Marshawn Lynch and Josh Jacobs as their top backs. As a running back, Washington has more of a complete skill set because he can run the ball, and catch out of the backfield, but he served more as a change-of-pace guy the last few years.
Richard filled a void that Washington could not, and that is why he was featured more. Washington does not stand out when it comes to one specific thing, but he does do everything well, which is why the Raiders relied on him late in the season with Jacobs out.
What should the Chiefs never ask Washington to do?
As much as the Chiefs need a feature back, Washington is not that guy, so do not expect him to be a 20-plus touch guy. He is going to tote the rock ten or so times, and get your a handful of catches out of the backfield, but anything more would be asking too much. Overall, he is a solid player who will improve an already outstanding offense in Kansas City.