Beat writer Tarik El-Bashir was asked which Redskins player will break out this season: "I’m going with running back Roy Helu, whose versatility should make him a weapon in Jay Gruden’s offense. Under the Shanahans last season, Helu rushed for 274 yards on 62 attempts and reeled in 31 passes for 251 yards. I suspect Gruden is going to find a way to get the ball into Helu’s hands (a lot) more often, particularly through the air. Why? Look at Gruden’s history with the Bengals. Last season, dual-threat running back Giovani Bernard was a focal point of the Cincinnati offense, hauling in 56 passes for 514 yards and rushing for 695 yards on 170 carries. I’m not saying Helu is as good as Bernard or that Helu can replicate Bernard's numbers. But Gruden loves players that he can get creative with, and Helu has proved in the past that he can thrive when deployed properly. Remember Helu’s rookie season? When he rushed for 640 yards and caught 49 passes for 379 yards? Three years later, he’s more experienced, completely healthy and still only 25 years old. Why can’t he do it again?"
Gruden's usage of Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis last year would indicate a committee-type attack for the Redskins for 2014, but in 2012, Gruden leaned very heavily on BJGE, so Helu is no shoo-in for a big role.
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