Redskins.com breaks down the Redskins' roster position-by-position and identifies potential need areas. Up next: fullbacks.
With the Redskins going to the West Coast offense this offseason, the fullback position takes on added emphasis. Fullbacks are used both as pass blockers and pass receivers in many West Coast offenses.
Fortunately, the Redskins have a Pro Bowl-caliber fullback in Mike Sellers.
Sellers, the 6-3, 284-pounder, remains a force for the Redskins' offense. In 14 games last season, he had 26 carries for 78 yards and two rushing touchdowns. As a receiver, he caught 17 passes for 117 yards and another touchdown.
In 2005, Sellers was invaluable in goal line situations, with seven of his 12 receptions going for touchdowns that season.
All of last season, Sellers was the only fullback on the roster. When he was out of the lineup, coaches used veteran Brian Kozlowski at fullback.
The Redskins lost backup Nehemiah Broughton to a knee ligament injury in a 2007 mini-camp.
Broughton is a third-year player out of The Citadel who has had limited NFL action. At 5-11 and 25 pounds, he remains a promising prospect.
#### Positional Analysis
Sellers is the starter for the foreseeable future. He was a Pro Bowl alternate last season, so even though he is 32 years old, his skills have not declined.
Vinny Cerrato has cited backup fullback as a need position this offseason, and the Redskins could look to address the position in the later rounds of the draft.
Broughton has shown promise in his brief NFL career, especially on special teams, but he will need to overcome the injury and earn a roster spot with a strong preseason.
Broughton could have an advantage on any competition brought to the team from the draft. New running backs coach Stump Mitchell also played his college ball at The Citadel.
## Three Fullbacks Eligible For Free Agency
As of Feb. 24, 2008; names listed are in no particular order
- Brad Hoover, Carolina Panthers: Hoover, a 6-0, 245-pounder, has played his entire 8-year NFL career with the Panthers.
- Tony Richardson, Minnesota Vikings: Selected to represent the NFC at the Pro Bowl last season, Richardson is a 13-year vet who helped lead the Vikings' top-ranked rushing offense last year.
- Dan Kreider, Pittsburgh Steelers: An 8-year vet, Kreider assumed more of a backup role with the Steelers' run-oriented offense in 2007.
Three Fullbacks Available In the Draft
As of Feb. 24, 2008; names listed are in no particular order
- Jacob Hester, LSU: Notable as a relative of former Steelers great Terry Bradshaw, Hester had a break-out year in 2007 with 1,103 rushing yards and 12 TDs. He is 6-0 and 228 pounds.
- Owen Schmitt, West Virginia: At 6-3 and 260 pounds, Schmitt averaged more than 5 yards per carry and rushed for 18 TDs in his collegiate career.
- Peyton Hillis, Arkansas: A versatile player who at 6-2 and 238 pounds could be also be used at H-back, tight end and wide receiver.
