Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks bring a bevy of effective running backs into this 2020 season. One thing is for sure, quarterback, Russell Wilson will absolutely receive more help from the rushing game than previous years.
Head Coach Pete Carroll and General Manager John Schneider are great at identifying outstanding rushers. They acquired top producers like Marshawn Lynch from the Bills. Additionally, the Hawks have a knack for and getting the most out of players such as Thomas Rawls and Tre Madden. It is arguable that Pete Carroll has never had the level of depth at the running back position at the NFL level as he has now.
The Seahawks will bring back 1000-yard rusher Chris Carson to continue his tormenting ways against the rest of the league. To be exact, he averaged 4.4 yards-per-carry, while rushing for 1230 yards on 278 attempts in 2019. His numbers could have been even better had he not suffered a hip injury in game 15.
Carson showed a steady hunger for running along with the drive and speed to churn out as many yards as possible on every touch. He also showed above-average hands bringing in 37 catches and a pair of receiving touchdowns.
The former Oklahoma State star’s sudden burst, as well as his improving vision, make him a formidable weapon. He looks to be on the path to having three straight thousand-yard season on the ground.
Carlos Hyde, Cleveland Browns (Photo by Erik Drost, via Flickr)
However not only will they return the steady running of Chris Carson. They added another 1000-yard rusher, Carlos Hyde, in free agency. He absolutely stole the scene and went completely under-appreciated in his time with the Houston Texans and Head Coach Bill O’Brien. Luckily for Seattle, O’Brien decides to get rid of most of his offense and allow them to join the NFC West.
Hyde had his brief time running against the Seahawks and the NFC West during is time with the 49ers. He never really hit his stride until the end of his time with our Rival. Hyde had a healing year in Jacksonville to figure out his style. What he became was a smart heads up runner who showed more patience and vision with each carry.
What Hyde will bring in 2020? his balance, he’s a bigger back with the strength to make the tough plays he has great short-range explosion which he’s always shown; now being the veteran back he has become will allow him to settle into the dual back role that he seemed to struggle with back at Candle Stick Park. Hyde ran for 1,070 yards on 245 carries also averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Hyde is also an excellent pass blocker and has shown a willingness to lay it out there to pick up his blitzing assignment, which will play well with the offense.
Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks.
If those two thousand-yard rushers weren’t enough to keep the rushing attack humming along, Pete Carroll has more production in reserve. Travis Homer, Rashaad Penny, will look to carve their places on this roster. They wait for their chance to show what they can do.
Rashaad Penny was an absolute beast coming out of San Diego State. He’s shown that he’ll be able to adjust to the NFL with more attempts last year he averaged 5.7 yards-per-carry, on 65 attempts for 370 yards. Penny has the upside to be one of the horses that pushes the rushing attack over the top.
He will have to wait until Game 7 to do it. The Seahawks placed their former first-round pick on the Physically Unable to Perform list so he can further rehabilitate the torn ACL he suffered in Week 15 of last season. Leaving him out as a non-contender for the first 6 games of this season. When he returns healthy and hungry he’s sure to run with a purpose to make up for the lost time.
Travis Homer hasn’t had a lot of runs yet but he’s shown a sweet receiving touch and the ability to go get yards. He’s done well in picking up first downs every time he touches the football. As a key contributor on special teams, he will stay in coach Carroll’s good graces until his opportunity comes to play with the offense.
As last season showed, a team can never have enough good running backs. That’s why Seattle selected DeeJay Dallas from the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth round. With Penny missing the opening six games the door opens for Deejay to make his mark.
DJD brings a bulldog running style and is strong in short-yardage. He fights hard to gain that extra yard. In his last season at Miami, he powered home eight touchdowns, while rushing for 693 yards, and 6.0 yards-per-carry. Dallas was also regarded by most analysis as the best back of this year’s draft class in pass protection. He shows great and consistent six-inch punch and a willingness to stone wall pass-rushers.
Losing the preseason games may not matter to the casual fans. Die-hard fans know how important preseason games are for rookies and undrafted players. They understand the uphill battle those players face.
DeeJay Dallas, Miami Hurricanes. Seattle Seahawks.
Before wrapping up the run game, there is one more key piece to the rushing game and he’s under center. For his career, Russell Wilson has 3,997 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. RW3 averages 5.5 yards every time he takes off with the ball.
In a stout defensively built NFC West the rushing attack will play a huge role going forward in. Their ability to get yards on the ground will keep teams honest by offsetting the blitz. That gives Wilson some more time in the pocket to do what he does so well.
Most in the NFL circles may feel that the Seahawks don’t have the top backs they easily have a stable of backs that individually could run for many teams in the league as their starter.
The main decision that needs to be made is deciding on the backfield rotation. Also how Carroll and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will split carries for the backs. Will they ride a hot hand against each opponent every week? Or will they give the lion’s share to one and allow the others to fight for the scraps?
All winter and spring the talk has been about how Carroll and Schottenheimer can open up the offense for RW3. He has a pair of outstanding receivers, Tyler Lockett, and D.K. Metcalf as well as a group of effective tight ends led by three-time Prow Bowler Greg Olsen. Truth is the Seattle Seahawks may not need to throw more. They have the horses to ground and pound their way to a title.
What do you think about the Seattle Seahawks core of running backs? let us know in the comments section below or on social media.