Seahawks: Is Darren McFadden the answer at running back?

The Seahawks need a safety net at running back, and Darren McFadden would be a perfect fit for what Seattle needs at the position.

Of all the aging veteran players I might suggest that the Seattle Seahawks should sign, Darren McFadden is perhaps the most unlikely. The thing is: he is just the type of player the Seahawks could use to help them create some stability at the running back position.

We’ve said this before: The Seahawks have a trio of young and extremely talented runners, but all three have major question marks. Prosise and Rawls cannot stay healthy, and it is still unclear if Collins is capable of being more than a backup.

That leaves them in a quandary. Do they risk a mess like last season or bring in a player and possibly lose one of their youngsters? What they need is this season’s version of Christine Michael. They need a RB safety net.

I’ve recently been focussing on mid-late round draft prospects at the position in case the team chooses that route for depth, but there is another option. Signing a veteran player, one that might come cheap and on a short-term deal, would be the ideal fix. That way they’d have the depth they need, and they’d also have a guy they could cut if the three kids all work out.

Finding such a player isn’t always easy, but Darren McFadden is the perfect candidate this season. He’s got enough talent left to be a productive back for a few games in 2017, but there isn’t likely to be a large market for his services due to his age.

McFadden is already campaigning for someone to give him a shot. He recently told Sirius that he believes that he can still be a feature back in the NFL.

McFadden proved that he could carry the load for a team back in 2015. He started that season as a backup, but stole the starting job away from Joseph Randle and rushed for 1089 yards.

2016 was a lost season for McFadden. He broke his elbow at a pool party before the season began, and didn’t see the field until December. With Ezekiel Elliot now on the roster, there weren’t many touches left for McFadden at that point.

Next: Mock drafters think Seattle will focus on offensive line

McFadden will be 30 this season. He doesn’t have many seasons left in the NFL. A chance at a ring in Seattle might be the best offer he’s going to get this season. For the Seahawks, using him as a safety net at RB makes perfect sense.