With the combination of rookie running back Robert Kelley and the consistently improving Chris Thompson serving as the team’s third-down back, the Washington Redskins had the league’s most improved running game in 2016 according to Football Outsiders' DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) ratings.
The Redskins’ run game DVOA in 2015 was -32.5 percent – last in the NFL – but jumped to five percent in 2016.
“Washington's improvement on the ground is a group effort,” writes Aaron Schatz (ESPN Insider subscription required). “There was better run-blocking, especially from right guard Brandon Scherff, who took a big leap forward and made his first Pro Bowl this year.