Predicting the Seahawks Running Backs for 2017

The Seattle Seahawks began 2016 with Christine Michael as their starting running back; surely, 2017 is immediately better, right?

Michael was the lead back for the first seven games for the Seahawks last season. Think about that for a second. Michael. His statistics were not that bad, actually, especially the first three games. The problem was, as it always is with Michael, he could not line up correctly. Or learn the blocking schemes. Or anything else of real value. Michael was released midway through the year.

The Seahawks brought in Eddie Lacy this offseason to help upgrade the running back position. Plus, Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise appear as if they will be healthy to start the season. The offensive line may still not be great, but the line may look better simply from the real talent behind them in the backfield.

The final roster of the Seahawks in 2016 had five tailbacks and a fullback. The fullback was Marcel Reece who remains a free agent. I am forgetting the fullback in this preview (maybe!), simply because that position does not do a whole lot more than block. Since there were five tailbacks on the final roster, here is who I think will be the five tailbacks that will be on the week one roster in 2017.

Starter

Eddie Lacy

Rawls is certainly making a push to be The Man in OTAs heading into this season. By all accounts, Rawls is full of energy and looks healthy. I think Lacy is the starter at least in week one, though. Seattle believes that Lacy has the size and athleticism to best fit their model of running back. Lacy is bigger than Rawls and has proven he can consistently break tackles. The Seahawks wanted Lacy to also prove he had a commitment to maintaining his weight, albeit at more pounds than the Green Bay Packers, Lacy’s former team, wanted him to be. So far, Lacy has met both his weigh-in incentives. If he comes in to training camp in shape, he will be the starter against his former team in week one.

Next Man Up

Thomas Rawls

Rawls’s main issue has been his health. He was electric in 2015 before he broke his ankle. This was after he replaced Marshawn Lynch when Lynch was injured. Lynch was not as good as Rawls had been when Lynch returned late in the season. 2016 was supposed to be the year Rawls took over completely for Lynch, but that did not materialize. Rawls had an assortment of injuries all season. He again was great in the playoffs against the Detroit Lions. The following week against the Atlanta Falcons, Rawls never had a chance to get going. If not for his injury history, Rawls would start in 2017. He will still get a lot of carries and could possibly be the starter in week 17. Or he could be hurt again.

3rd Down Back

C.J. Prosise

Prosise, of course. Only with Prosise he has the ability to do so much more than be the third-down guy. Prosise could end up being the best running back of this group. Just like Rawls, and Lacy to some degree, staying healthy is Prosise’s issue. But he proved how good he can be against the New England Patriots last year.

The Guys Hoping to Make an Impact

Alex Collins

Collins was a beast in college behind a very good offensive line at Arkansas. As a rookie in 2016, he did not show that much. Partly that could have been due to his limited playing time. Or maybe the coaches are afraid of him fumbling (he had 17 in college). Collins does have the size to potentially be a good back, though. He will make the roster, but he might need to prove his worth this season to make the roster in 2018.

Chris Carson

Carson is newly drafted and a bigger back. The Seahawks love these guys. Why? Because they fit the mode of what Pete Carroll really wants to do: run first with backs controlling the clock and then rely on the defense to win close games. Carson is not fast but sturdy. He will never be the guy who carries the full load, but can be used in short yardage and late in games.

(Editor’s note: That said, Carson will rush for 1,600 yards this season and become a Hall of Famer because the author is not that bright.)

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The Guys Just Hoping Who Will Most Likely Not Be on the Roster

Marcel Reece

Ok, so I included Reece in this article. Reece is not currently a Seahawk. He is also a fullback. But he did really good things at the end of 2016 and the Seahawks should bring him back.

J.D. McKissic

Seattle is a bit enamored with McKissic. He is on the small size for the Seahawks, but he has decent athleticism. John Schneider and Carroll see something in him, so maybe he has a very outside chance of making the team.