Three free agent running backs Seahawks can sign to replace Chris Carson

T.J. Yeldon

Yeldon has had injury issues too but is still just 28 years old. He had an excellent rookie year in 2015 but played behind Leonard Fournette for the most part after that when he was with the Jaguars. Still, one of Yeldon’s biggest strengths is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

It would be nice if the Seahawks threw to their backs a bit more (and their tight ends as well) and with the hopes that Seattle starts doing this more, Yeldon would be a great fit. He averages 4.1 yards a carry over 492 career rushes but in the first four years of his career, he averaged 48 receptions a season. He also averaged 7.8 yards a catch.

While this number isn’t otherworldly, it should be noted that 34 percent of his catches through his first four years finished by his team picking up a first down. That kind of thing means his team stays on the field and extends drives. Seattle has not been able to do that well this year and must learn to do this soon to help keep its defense fresh in the second halves of games.

Yeldon didn’t do much in 2019 and 2020 after joining the Bills but he wasn’t a good fit in what Buffalo wanted to do. He still has the skill to be a good part of a rotation at running back, which is what Seattle has moving forward if Carson can’t return, and Yeldon’s ability to catch only enhances his ability to be a three-down back for the Seahawks.