There’s a reboot underway in Washington, with Alex Smith taking over for Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Samaje Perine probably will be their starting tailback, and he hardly played in the first half of last year. But Chris Thompson quietly should be a huge part of that offense.

Thompson missed almost half of last year, but when he broke his fibula at New Orleans, he was leading the team in both rushing and receiving. He’s a deluxe third-down back – at least he was last year.

Thompson was particularly effective in the passing game, consistently busting loose for long gains. He caught 39 passes (almost 4 per game), and he averaged 13.1 yards per reception. I believe the last time a running back caught more passes and averaged more yards per reception was Joe Cribbs for Buffalo back in 1981. Weird.

In this century, only five running backs have caught 30-plus passes and averaged over 12 yards per reception. Oddly, all five of them have occurred in the last three years. (All three came from teams with well-regarded offensive minds – Kyle Shanahan, Andy Reid, Jay Gruden, Bruce Arians and Sean McVay.)

Washington, of course, has to figure out how to keep Thompson going. Defenses likely will make him more of a priority this season. And he’ll have to adjust to a new quarterback. But Alex Smith has tended to prefer throwing safe, short passes underneath. I expect Thompson will be a big part of that offense. They’ll probably use a larger back as their main ball carrier (Perine, most likely) but mix in Thompson plenty. He might finish with more total yards than any other third-down type back in the league.

Two other backs last year caught 30-plus passes and averaged over 10 yards per reception, and both are very well regarded – Todd Gurley and Alvin Kamara.

BACKS AVERAGING 10 YARDS PER CATCH
YearPlayerRecYards AvgTD
2016Tevin Coleman, Atl.3142113.63
2016Spencer Ware, K.C.3344713.52
2017Chris Thompson, Wash.3951013.14
2015David Johnson, Ariz.3645712.74
2017Todd Gurley, LAR6478812.36
2011Arian Foster, Hou.5361711.62
2014Roy Helu, Wash.4247711.42
2011Fred Jackson, Buff.3944211.30
2011Michael Bush, Oak.3741811.31
2016Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.3236311.31
2012Danny Woodhead, N.E.4044611.23
2004Tiki Barber, NYG5257811.12
2010Danny Woodhead, N.E.3437911.11
2002Clinton Portis, Den.3336411.02
2009Darren Sproles, S.D.4549711.04
2013Charles Clay, Mia.6975911.06
2015Charles Sims, T.B.5156111.04
2016David Johnson, Ariz.8087911.04
2004Onterrio Smith, Min.3639410.92
2005DeShaun Foster, Car.3437210.91
2002Marcel Shipp, Ariz.3841310.93
2010Darren McFadden, Oak.4750710.83
2015Dion Lewis, N.E.3638810.82
2010Matt Forte, Chi.5154710.73
2011LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ4244910.72
2012C.J. Spiller, Buff.4345910.72
2003Duce Staley, Phil.3638210.62
2002Duce Staley, Phil.5154110.63
2010Jamaal Charles, K.C.4546810.43
2013LeSean McCoy, Phil.5253910.42
2005Larry Johnson, K.C.3334310.41
2002Charlie Garner, Oak.9194110.34
2013Joique Bell, Det.5354710.30
2013Marcel Reece, Oak.3233110.32
2014LeVeon Bell, Pitt.8385410.33
2000Tiki Barber, NYG7071910.31
2015James White, N.E.4041010.34
2000Marshall Faulk, St.L.8183010.28
2002Kevin Faulk, N.E.3737910.23
2007Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac.4040710.20
2014Eddie Lacy, G.B.4242710.24
2016Melvin Gordon, S.D.4141910.22
2017Alvin Kamara, N.O.8182610.25
2006Mewelde Moore, Minn.4646810.21
2009Chris Johnson, Tenn.5050310.12
2009Adrian Peterson, Minn.4343610.10
2009Kevin Smith, Det.4141510.11
2010Knowshon Moreno, Den.3737210.13
2005Brian Westbrook, Phil.6161610.14
2000Tshimanga Biakabutuka, Car.3434110.02
2006Larry Johnson, K.C.4141010.02

—Ian Allan