Seahawks backfield is set up for repeat success in 2019

The Seahawks current backfield feels like one Seattle fans have never seen before. The big leap that the Hawk’s offense took in 2018 was in big part to the unexpected performance that running back Chris Carson blessed us with.

For years the Seahawks have grappled to connect with the run-game after Marshawn Lynch‘s (short-lived) retirement. By one point, the backfield saw continuous rotation that affected the stability of the offense and that allowed quarterback Russell Wilson to become the team’s leading rusher.

In 2018, Seattle likely found a one-two-three punch at running back with Chris Carson, Mike Davis, and Rashaad Penny. The contribution of these three players is far different than the Seahawk’s rotation seen at the position previously. Davis and Penny were big complimentary pieces to Carson and his starting role. These three alone combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns while Carson was responsible for half of those stats alone.

The Seahawks shook the NFL when they decided to draft Penny in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. This was the first time that they drafted a running back in the first round since they took Shaun Alexander with the 19th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.

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It was Carson who quickly became the front-runner at the start of the season. He landed himself on injured reserve early into his promising rookie season. That is likely why Penny was drafted when he was, as insurance to the team. Penny was stuck in the third string position throughout the 2018 season behind Carson and Davis. His minimally productive season was most part due to the lack of opportunity created by Carson’s comeback season. However, Penny finally started to emerge in the latter half of 2018.

Seahawks running backs got it done in 2018

Pro Football Focus credited Seattle’s 2018 running backs with having the most fantasy points at the position in the team’s last 10 years with 420. This comes after an abysmal year in 2017 with a 10-year low of 257 points. Chris Carson and Mike Davis were also included in Pro Football Focus’ top five highest-graded running backs in the NFC West in 2018.

Currently, the Seahawks have three additional running backs on their roster. J.D. McKissic, who is a valuable fourth-string option, C.J. Prosise, who has spent each of his three seasons in the league on injured reserve, and finally Bo Scarbrough, who the Seahawks picked up late into the season. While the starting running back spot seems solidified, no matter the order after that, the Seahawks seem to be set up for great success in 2019.