Redskins sign two in free agency
March 25, 2020
by Steve Thomas
The Washington Redskins made two more signings on Tuesday, bringing in running back Peyton Barber from Tampa Bay and tight end Richard Rodgers, formerly with the Green Bay Packers.
Barber, who is 5’11” and 225 pounds, was originally signed in 2016 by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent from Auburn. He was timed at 4.64 seconds in the 40 yard dash at the 2016 NFL Combine. In his NFL career, Barber has played in 63 games, starting 28, with a total of 1,987 rushing yards on 551 attempts, for an average of 3.6 yards per attempt, and 15 touchdowns. Barber has also had 57 receptions in 78 targets for 349 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns, for an average of 6.1 yards per game. He was Tampa Bay’s principal starter in 2018, with 234 rush attempts for 871 yards and an average of 3.7 yards per attempt. In 2019, Barber only had 7 starts, with 154 rush attempts for 470 yards and 6 touchdowns, as well as 16 receptions in 24 targets for 115 yards and 1 touchdown. Barber’s contract is reportedly a two year, $3M deal. He joins a crowded backfield that includes future hall of famer Adrian Peterson, 2018 second round pick Derrius Guice, 2019 fourth round pick Bryce Love, and new signee J.D. McKissic, and well as Josh Ferguson. Barber will have to fight for a roster spot in 2020.
Rodgers, 6’4” and 257 pounds, was the 3rd round pick by the Packers in 2014 out of Cal. At the 2014 NFL Combine, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.87 seconds, did 16 reps in the bench press, and jumped 31.5 inches in the vertical leap and 9’8” in the standing broad jump. Rodgers spent four years in Green Bay before being signed by the Eagles in 2018; however, he spent most of the last two seasons on injured reserve, first with a knee injury and then a foot injury in 2019. In his career, Rodgers has played in 71 games, with 24 starts, and has 121 passes in 182 targets for 1,173 yards, 9.7 yards per reception, and 13 touchdowns. His last year in which he wasn’t on injured reserve was 2017 with Green Bay, when he had 12 receptions in 19 targets for 160 yards and 1 touchdown. Rodgers will be given the chance to prove he can stay healthy and compete with Logan Thomas and 2019 returnee Jeremy Sprinkle for playing time.