Seattle Seahawks: New RB Kenneth Walker III is ready for a takeover
Chris Phillips
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The Seattle Seahawks completed their 2022 NFL draft last weekend. Their second, second-round pick, running back Kenneth Walker, left many 12s bewildered. Here’s some truth as to why they should like the pick.
The Seattle Seahawks checked off two very important boxes with their first two draft selections, left tackle and edge rusher. Many fans were expecting them to either take Libert quarterback Malik Willis, as he continued to slide, or the top cornerback on their board, Andrew Booth. Instead, GM John Schneider threw everyone a curveball.
“With the 41st pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Seahawks select Kenneth Walker III, running back out of Michigan State.”
WHAT!?! WHY?!! Schneider and Pete Carroll have lost their minds. Why would they take a running back when they already have Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. Those were most likely the most common thoughts, words, and/or sentences uttered by many Seattle Seahawks fans. I’ll admit I was in the What and Why camp.
Seattle Seahawks have Chris Carson rehabbing from injury
Then I thought about it a little more; he’s a good pick for the team. The hard truth is Carson is coming off a very serious neck injury, which is not to be taken lightly. By all accounts, everyone is being cautious with this matter.
Carson is working out and staying in game shape, but there is a very legit concern that he a) won’t ever be the same running back or b) may not play football ever again. Running backs need to lower their head and run through would-be tacklers. Carson might think twice as it puts his neck in a precarious position.
Hey look it’s Chris Carson working out pic.twitter.com/OLJdp0LmL9
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) April 22, 2022
There’s still Rashaad “Little Beast Mode” Penny
Next up is a running back who has played in 37 more NFL games than you or I have. This is out of a possible 65 games. So, expecting a healthy Penny for the entire season is unlikely.
He was excellent to close out last season. Starting six games, he rushed 119 times for 749 yards and six TDs on the ground. That’s an average of 6.3 yards per attempt and 74.9 yards and a touchdown per game.
He finally delivered on the promise that made him a 2018 first-round selection. Can he do it for a full year? Fans either fall into the glass half full or empty with him. Count me in the glass half full side, but with an eye on a spot in the glass half empty side.
It makes sense now
Several analysts compare Walker to Kareem Hunt. That’s on the field and not off of it. Walker profiles as a two-down running back with the potential to be a good pass catcher. His pass protection needs work.
Is there anything we can glean from the Seattle Seahawks’ drafting of Walker?
Yes, there is. By drafting Walker, the Seattle Seahawks think Carson is done, and Penny needs a backup. He’s a good way for the team to guarantee production in the backfield.
Walker’s 2022 has a vast range of outcomes. From being a Week 1 starter to never seeing the playing field at all in his rookie year, and anything in between. It all depends on the health of the two guys in front of him. It also depends on how quickly the newest Seattle Seahawks running back picks up how to play at the NFL level. Regardless, this is another great draft selection from the Seahawks.
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What do you think about the Seattle Seahawks drafting Kenneth Walker in the second round? Let us know in the comments section below.