Ranking the top five running backs in the Seahawks’ NFC West

The Seahawks have at least one of the best running backs in the NFC West. Here are the top five at the position in the division.

Just like nearly every other position in the NFC West, the division is loaded at running back. The Seahawks Chris Carson might be the best running back in most divisions. But in the NFC West, he could be the third best. The same could be said for the Rams’ Todd Gurley. Every team in the division has at least one very good back.

The way the teams use their running backs, of course, varies. Seattle wants to run the ball a lot. Under new coach Kliff Kingsbury, the Cardinals might want to pass the ball quite a bit and use their tailbacks as much as receivers as true running backs. The 49ers are a bit like Seattle in that they like to run but they also like more versatile backs than Seattle. And Sean McVay uses all kinds of formations and one is never sure where the tailback might be.

Even grades on running backs, like the one Pro Football Focus used to name their top five running backs for 2018, are not overly reliable in naming who the best backs in the division are. Having Carson over Gurley is one thing. But having Mike Davis as the fourth best back in the NFC West simply shouldn’t be. Davis was very good for Seattle in 2018, but got limited carries. His sample size shouldn’t have been used when ranking the best running backs.

In 2019, a couple of running backs might make up the top five in the NFC West who wouldn’t have made the list for last season. Tevin Coleman was signed by the 49ers this offseason. And Seattle’s Rashaad Penny should get a lot more reps. So who are the top five backs in the NFC West? Here’s my best guess.