Three free agent running back targets for Seahawks to rebuild RB room
By Lee Vowell
The Seattle Seahawks have already lost a couple of running backs in free agency but they need to add some too. Gone are Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer. Penny went to the Eagles. Homer left for the Bears. What exactly is Seattle’s plan to replace them?
The good thing for NFL teams currently is running backs have become undervalued and, therefore, underpaid. Maybe it’s because running backs usually aren’t that big but take a beating during games from larger defensive players. The issue is that a great running back can change the outcome of games.
Seattle doesn’t need a starter at running back, of course. They have Ken Walker III holding down that spot. But the only backup he has at this point is DeeJay Dallas. Godwin Igewbuike and Tony Jones, Jr. are sort of on the roster, too, but both are restricted free agents. There are several free agent running backs that the Seahawks should think of signing, though.
Seahawks RB free agent target No. 3: Ezekiel Elliott
There is a rumor going around (heck, it might be confirmed soon after this article posts) that the Dallas Cowboys are moving on from Ezekiel Elliott. The team put the franchise tag on fellow RB Tony Pollard this offseason so Pollard is expected to be the guy in Dallas for the next few years. That means Elliott will likely take a back seat to Pollard while carrying a cap hit of $16,720,000 in 2023. Releasing Elliott saves the Cowboys almost $5 million this offseason.
Elliott is still a very good running back, though probably not as good as he was a few years ago. In 2022, Elliott averaged a career-low 3.8 yards a rush. He still scored 12 rushing touchdowns, however. Elliott would be the backup in Seattle, but would also likely be in heavy rotation with Walker so he would get a lot of carries.
Elliott also has a career catch rate of 75.9 percent when targeted. He can catch the ball and quarterback Geno Smith uses his running backs more than Russell Wilson did. Elliott would be a valued member of the offense and could help teach Walker even more. But Elliott might simply want more money than Seattle wants to pay.