Seahawks 2020 position preview: Running back

Who Starts?

Just like my QB preview last week, this is an easy and anticlimactic one: Chris Carson. For the downs and possessions when Carson takes a rest there will be a heated competition between Hyde and Penny to take that role, which I see Hyde winning even if Penny is fully healthy.

Who’s Cut?

The players who will certainly make the roster are Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde, and Rashaad Penny. That leaves the rest of the group competing for the last spot, considering the fact that the Seahawks have almost always carried four running backs on the roster during Carroll’s tenure.

Rashaad Penny is also likely going to start his season week six as I mentioned earlier, so that leaves another open spot for the initial 55 man roster. The final two spots will be filled by DeeJay Dallas and Anthony Jones, and once Penny is healthy, Jones will be moved to the practice squad.

This means the Patrick Carr and Travis Homer are cut. Jones’s talent as a running back will be what keeps him on the roster, but even before Penny gets back I don’t see him being active on gamedays without injuries to the men in front of him on the depth chart.

Dallas will make the roster and be active on game days because of his impact on special teams. His speed and ability to return kicks and punts will help him get on the field in those situations, whether as a returner or as a gunner, and he will certainly get some chances in the pre-season to win the kick returner and punt returner jobs.

As for Carr and Homer, Carr being cut will be no surprise, and he will hope the Seahawks like him enough after camp and the pre-season to sign him onto the practice squad while Homer will see his Seahawks career end after only one season.