Predicting who will play running back for Seahawks in 2020

The Seahawks ran so thin at running back in 2019 they had to sign two former players to help them in the playoffs. But who will be on the roster in 2020?

The Seahawks limped, nearly literally, into the playoffs in 2019 at the running back position. They lost Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny prior to the final week of the season and had to ask Marshawn Lynch to return to be their lead back during the postseason. The situation was not ideal.

Carson was great again last year. Penny was beginning to play really well. While Lynch did what he could behind a not great offensive line, he also wasn’t yet in football shape after being out of football for a year a half.

Seattle wants to run the ball quite a bit and with effectiveness. Some teams like to run randomly in support of their passing game. But the Seahawks want to run as much as they pass and have one area help the other. When Seattle becomes one dimensional, they are more likely than other teams, like the Chiefs, who are great at passing and simply good at running the ball.

This means Seattle needs very good running backs. Partly because Seattle’s offensive line is still not one of the best in the NFL. The running backs need to be able to generate yards after contact, as Carson excels at.

So who will run the ball for Seattle in 2020? Here is my best guess.

Starter – Chris Carson

The question isn’t whether Carson starts but if he will be healthy enough to do so by week one of the season. Carson injured his hip in the next to last regular season game of 2019. The issue won’t require surgery but still needs a lot of time for recovery. Pete Carroll thinks Carson will be back to begin 2020.

Carson gained 1,151 yards in 2018 and 1,230 in 2019. He is one of the better backs in the NFL and Seattle needs him healthy if they want to make a deep push in the playoffs next season.

Next man up – Marshawn Lynch

I think Lynch comes back for one more season. He is extremely valuable in short-yardage situations still. Lynch might have averaged just 2.23 yards per carry in his three games with the Seahawks in 2019 (30 carries for 67 yards) but he also scored 4 rushing touchdowns. So 13 percent of the time Lynch had a carry last season, he scored a touchdown.

In comparison, the Packers Aaron Jones tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns in 2019 with 16. He ran the ball 236 times. This means he averaged a touchdown on 6.7 percent of his carries.

Lynch isn’t going to lead the NFL in rushing or rushing touchdowns, but his physicality is perfect for Seattle and he will be used well. If he comes back for another go, he will be a valuable piece of the offense.

Backups – Travis Homer and Lamical Perine (2020 draft pick)

Homer was decent when forced into action at the end of 2019. I think he plays a bigger role as a third down back in 2020. He is a strong runner, doesn’t shy away from contact and can catch the ball. He is a good fit for Seattle.

For Seattle’s fourth back to start 2020, I think they will draft Perine in the third round. Perine has the right build for a Pete Carroll back as he is 5’11” and 220 pounds. He isn’t blazing fast but he runs hard and can run through contact.

PUP – Rashaad Penny

I don’t think 12s will see Penny on the field for the Seahawks for at least the first third of 2020. He will start on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss the first six games of the season. Even when he returns he might still be working his way back from an ACL injury.