(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Potential Seahawks running back targets, post combine.
The Seahawks place emphasis on given size parameters (5’10” + and 215 lbs. +). As well as specific numbers on the vertical jump (35″) and broad jump (10′). We will focus on players that fit the Seahawks mold. For full combine results see NFL Combine Results Tracker.
Kalen Ballage – 6’1″ – 228 lbs. – 33.5″ Vertical – 10’2″ Broad – Arizona State
Ballage is a good athlete for his size, and looked fluid in all drills. He showed solid hands, but double caught the ball on the over the shoulder throws. The ASU all-purpose back will need to work on wheel routes before his pro day. He didn’t hit the ideal in his vertical, but did on the broad jump. Ballage definitely has some skills, but you have to ask with that talent why wasn’t he better on the field? DeMario Richard started over him at Arizona State.
Nick Chubb – 5’11” – 227 lbs. – 38.5″ Vertical – 10’8″ Broad – Georgia
Nick Chubb looks powerful, but not overly quick laterally. He appears to be tight hipped. Chubb looks like a battering ram, running downhill with excellent build up speed. His hands were solid, but he didn’t look overly comfortable catching the ball. The former Georgia standout will be a good north/south runner in the NFL. He should be a good fit in a zone scheme or straight ahead style.
Royce Freeman – 5’11” – 229 lbs. – 34″ Vertical – 9’8″ Broad – Oregon
I will start off by saying that Freeman fell just short of the explosion numbers the Seahawks usually look for. Freeman is a big guy. Although his size was in line with the other players, he looked more muscled. He is built like Robert Turbin. The Oregon star was quicker than expected, but not overly fast. Still showed he is a fluid athlete, and did a nice job catching the ball with his hands, not letting any get into his body. Freeman is definitely a downhill runner who has built up speed. Looks like a nice power back in the NFL, may be a 2 down back, but the hands were good enough to keep him out there for all 3 downs.
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Derrius Guice – 5’10” – 224 lbs. – 31.5″ Vertical – DNP Broad – LSU
Guice tested below what he was expected to do in the vertical, and did not participate in the broad jump. He will need to make a major improvement for his pro day. Guice is very fluid. He is a powerful north/south runner. He caught the ball, but felt like he was fighting it. The combine didn’t really showcase him as well as I expected. He looked good in every drill but he didn’t stand out. The LSU standout just got the job done. He didn’t look great in any drills today. This guy will be judged based on his 2016 film as it looks like he has lost a step due to his injuries in 2017. He is a yards after contact guy who Mike Mayock of the NFL Network compared to Marshawn Lynch.
Sony Michel – 5’11 – 214 lbs. – DNP Vertical – DNP Broad – Georgia
Sony Michel elected to wait for his pro day to test on the vertical and broad jump. He showed outstanding change of direction. Michel kept his head up, and looked very fluid on his cuts. Very few running backs kept their heads up cutting around cones. He showed very soft hands and made every catch look easy. The Georgia back looks like a true 3 down weapon. I see a role for this guy being a weapon in the backfield and a guy you can slot out to create mismatches. Daniel Jeremiah and Mike Mayock of NFL Network continuously compared Michel to Alvin Kamara.
Rashaad Penny – 5’11” – 220 lbs. – 32.5″ Vertical – 10′ Broad – San Diego State
Penny looks more explosive than his vertical would lead you to believe. The San Diego State standout looks fast for as big as he is showing no wasted movement. Penny showed choppy feet on the change of direction drill which will slow down his explosiveness. Coaching can correct that. He showcased good hands not great. He returned kicks adding special teams value will be a nice asset. Penny looks like a major sleeper in this draft. He shows all the skills to be a star and his college production matched it.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Darrel Williams – 6’0″ – 225 lbs. – 32″ Vertical – 9’1″ Broad – LSU
Williams didn’t hit the explosion measurables, but I see him as a similar player to Tre Madden. I think he might be a fullback in the making. He Stutter stepped on the cone drills on the cut back. Not a lateral runner. Williams fought the ball to catch it, but tracked the ball over the shoulder very well. That is usually the tougher catch, so I think he just needs more work. Coming out of LSU, he rarely saw passes come his way. Williams is big and very strong. His lower body is thick, and his leg drive is impressive. Brings special teams value right away. He loves contact. This guy is relatively unknown, he was the 2nd back at LSU. Williams was highly productive, even as the second running back he averaged 5.1 yards per carry, and was named the MVP of the bowl game this season.
Kerryon Johnson – 5’11” – 213 lbs. – 40″ Vertical – 10’6″ Broad – Auburn
Johnson fit the explosion numbers and measurables exceptionally well. He is a long strider. Johnson looked smooth, but rounded the cones in drills. Johnson can correct this with better NFL coaching. He looked the ball in well showing nice hands. I was concerned that he runs high, this will lead to unnecessary big hits. It gives defenders more space to hit. Johnson has some wiggle to him to make people miss. He was highly productive this past season in college against high level competition. When he was on the field for Auburn, they were national title contenders. He looks like a gamer and a player for us to keep an eye on.
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Ryan Nall – 6’2″ – 232 lbs. – 33″ Vertical – 10’2″ Broad – Oregon State
I didn’t want to write about this Nall. Nall just kept showing up, however. He wasn’t great in any drill, but he was good in everything. He feels like maybe a running fullback/goal line type of player. With a little more bulk, he reminds me of a Peyton Hillis/Mike Alstott type. This guy will help on special teams right away and should be a player you can find a spot for.