I think that when Samaje Perine was drafted in the 4th round of the 2017 draft, it was generally viewed as a good pick by the Redskins. Perine was seen as a powerful and reliable running back that represented good value in the 4th round.
For a team that had finished 2016 with Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson, “Fumblin’” Matt Jones, and Mack Brown, the addition of Perine looked like it would mark the end of the Matt Jones era — Jones having been a failed 2015 third-round pick that had reminded Scot McCloughan of Marshawn Lynch — and provide an overall upgrade in the form of a reliable power back who could solve the Redskins’ short yardage woes.