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.
Seahawks RB free agent target No. 2: Jamaal Williams
Jamaal Williams would be a near-perfect fit in Seattle. He isn’t a truly explosive running back so isn’t going to average 6 yards-a-carry, but he can grind out yards extremely successfully and is fantastic near the goal line. In 2022 with the Detroit Lions, Williams scored 17 rushing touchdowns.
Williams is also used to being part of a running back rotation so his ego isn’t going to get in the way. He seems to be a team-first player and was reportedly well-liked in the Lions’ locker room. He, like Elliott, would be a veteran voice in Walker’s ear. Walker has all the skills to be great but learning from a guy who has been around for a while is only going to help him.
Williams is coming off by far the best year of his career. Besides the 17 rushing touchdowns, he also had 1,066 yards rushing on 262 carries and picked up 65 first downs. He isn’t going to be much of an option in the passing game – Williams was only targeted 16 times in 2022 – but he should be good in pass protection as he is 225 pounds. Travis Homer was solid in pass protection over the last few seasons but now that he is gone, Seattle could replace him with Williams while Williams is simply a better running back overall.
Williams is also a great player for fans. He is a fun interviewee and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. Basically, he is the kind of player who is going to give every ounce of effort to help his team win.
Seahawks RB free agent target No. 1: Leonard Fournette
I have to be almost and say I have liked the idea of the Seahawks adding Fournette for a few years now. He has proven to be a great back as part of a rotation and has developed his game into one where he can catch passes very well. But he is also a big back who can run between the tackles.
While Fournette struggled earlier in his career with injuries, he has stayed mostly healthy since 2019. He missed only one game last year and two in 2021. While he hasn’t turned out to be the explosive running back teams might have hoped for after he was drafted in 2017, he has made up for that by being able to get the tough yards and pick up first downs and touchdowns.
But Fournette’s ability to catch is what separates him from other free agent backs. He is a true three-down back. Fournete’s catch rate is 80.4 percent over his six-year career and he has caught 69 or more passes in three different years. In 2022, Fournette caught 73 of his 83 targets and had 3 touchdown receptions. Fournette also had 1,191 yards from scrimmage this past season.
Fournette is still just 28 years old. He should be able to be s solid back for a few more years. The question is how much Fournette is going to want to get paid. He was set to have a base salary of $6.5 million in 2023 but that is probably more than teams are going to be willing to pay him. If Fournette is willing to take about half that amount or even less, the Seahawks should definitely try to sign him.