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Seastrunk Could Be Redskins' 'Home Run' Back

The Redskins have established themselves as one of the best running teams in the NFL the past couple years by handing the ball off the Alfred Morris, who punishes would-be tacklers and rarely goes down at first contact.

On Saturday, the team added another wrinkle to its running game, selecting running back Lache Seastrunk out of Baylor in the sixth round with the 186th-overall pick.

Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said he's very interested to see what Seastrunk can add to an already potentially-explosive offense.

"What we're envisioning for him early on is not so much a third down guy but a guy that can spell [running back] Alfred [Morris] and hit the home run," Gruden said. "He's got the breakaway speed and hopefully in time he will be able develop into a pass blocker/receiver."

Seastrunk caught the attention of many at the NFL Combine, where he had the best vertical jump (41 1/2 inches) and broad jump (11-2) of any running back at the event.

Gruden said the Redskins were happy to see him available when they were ready to pick in the sixth round.

"He was sitting there later on in the draft … and we had him ranked a little bit higher than that," Gruden said. "He's an interesting guy, (and) I want to see him compete."

Seastrunk told the media getting picked by the Redskins was "the coolest thing in the world." Playing with former Baylor teammate Robert Griffin III, meanwhile, is just icing on the cake.

"I just achieved my lifelong goal in life and I get to play with one of my former teammates," he said. "It's a blessing."

Despite the fact Baylor's offense did not typically involve running backs in the passing game, Seastrunk said he's hoping to open up a lot of eyes with his all-around skills with the Redskins.

"I really feel I can catch the ball very, very well," Seastrunk said. "I feel like I proved that in combine, I proved that in my pro day. I just feel like if you give me an opportunity, I know I'm going to utilize it. I'm going to do everything in my power to help the Redskins be an even better organization."

**

With the No. 186 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected Lache Seastrunk of Baylor. Here's a gallery of his collegiate career.

NOTES ON THE SELECTION OF LACHE SEASTRUNK **

  • Seastrunk is the sixth selection of the Jay Gruden era and is the 40th selection by the Redskins under Executive Vice President/General Manager Bruce Allen.
  • Seastrunk is the 476th selection made by the Redskins in the Common Draft era (since 1967) and the 51st sixth-round selection in that time frame. He is the 77th sixth-round selection by the Redskins all-time since the institution of the draft in 1936.  
  • The Redskins have now selected at least one running back in four consecutive drafts, their longest streak since selecting a running back in nine consecutive drafts from 1983-91.
  • Seastrunk is the first sixth-round running back taken by the Redskins since drafting Pro Bowler Alfred Morris at No. 173 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.
  • Seastrunk is the first Baylor product selected by the Redskins since drafting quarterback Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
  • Seastrunk is the 10th Baylor product drafted by the Redskins all-time, joining QB Adrian Burk (1951), B Larry Isbell (1952), B Jerry Coody (1954), DT Earl Maxfield (1970), G Mike Hughes (1976), LB Geff Gandy (1983), DB Johnny Thomas (1987), DB Charles Bell (1991) and Griffin III (2012).
  • Seastrunk is the 55th running back selected by the Redskins in the Common Draft era, tied with linebacker for the second-most of any position group in that time frame. 
  • Seastrunk is the eighth player selected by the Redskins all-time at the No. 186 overall pick, joining T Tiny Croft (1942), E Fred Polzer (1958), B Ton Urbanik (1964), RB Rick Badanjek (1986), DT Mario Monds (2001), QB Colt Brennan (2008) and LB Robert Henson (2009).
  • The No. 186 overall selection used to pick Seastrunk was acquired by Washington from Tennessee via trade. Seastrunk becomes the second Redskins draft pick to be selected by means of a pick acquired from the Titans, joining CB Justin Tryon (2008).

NFL.com PROFILE:

OVERVIEW
First name is pronounced "Lake." Ranked as a Top 5 overall prospect as a Texas prep after rushing for 4,217 yards and scoring 52 total touchdowns. Was also an accomplished track athlete, competing in the 100 meters (personal best 10.33 seconds) and the long jump (21-8). Began his career at Oregon in 2010, where he traveled but did not play and redshirted. Transferred to Baylor and had to sit out the '11 season due to NCAA transfer rules and lost a year of eligibility. Played in a game for the first time in three years in '12 and was named the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. Carried the ball 131 times for 1,012 yards (7.7-yard average) and seven touchdowns in 13 games (six starts) after starting slowly -- had only 181 yards after seven contests but amassed 831 yards in his final six contests. Grabbed nine passes for 107 yards (11.9) and one touchdown. Led the Big 12 with 107.0 yards per game in '13 after recording 158-1,177-11 (7.4) on the ground in 11 games (eight starts). Suffered a groin injury against Oklahoma and missed the next two games (Texas Tech, Oklahoma State). Is the first player in Baylor history to top 1,000 yards rushing in multiple seasons. Five of his 19 touchdowns came on plays of longer than 68 yards.

STRENGTHS
Quick-footed and nifty with very good competitive speed to pull away in the open field. Deceptively fast. Keeps his feet churning on contact and can elude the first tackler and power through arm tackles. Runs low to the ground with good lower-body strength. Weaves through traffic and has a knack for hitting cutback lanes. Very good run balance to stop and start. Had the best vertical jump (41 1/2 inches) and broad jump (11-2) of any back at the combine.

BOTTOM LINE
Good-sized, productive, zone runner with enough physical traits to warrant consideration as a complementary back. Benefited from an offense featuring a lot of fly sweeps and lateral runs that have not translated well to the NFL game.

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