One Seahawks undrafted free agent is taking the lead for a key roster spot

The Seattle Seahawks begin their preseason schedule on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Most of the team's future 53-man roster is likely known, but there could be 10 spots that players are still fighting for. For the veteran starters, the preseason games are not overly important. For the guys fighting for spots, the games are extremely meaningful.

When it comes to the Seahawks running back room, the top two spots are taken. Kenneth Walker III is going to start and Zach Charbonnet is going to be next up. Seattle might keep up to four running backs, but there is a chance they only keep three with a fourth (and maybe fifth) on the practice squad.

This could mean that the last running back spot is going to be a battle between undrafted free agent George Holani and second-year player Kenny McIntosh. McIntosh does not have a leg up on Holani in terms of prior NFL production because McIntosh only appeared in three games in 2023 and got zero offensive reps.

Undrafted free agent George Holani might have a great chance to make the Seahawks active 53-man roster

The aspect that McIntosh should have a lead over Holani in is pass protection. McIntosh did at least practice with the Seahawks last year and he faced NFL defenders. Holani played in the Mountain West conference where the level of competition isn't among the best in college football. The problem for McIntosh, though, is Holani seems to have mastered pass pro during training camp.

This is important for a third-string running back because if they need to enter the game they are unlikely to be expected to carry the ball much. The team does not know it can rely on the back that way. What RB3 must be able to do, however, is protect the quarterback. If they cannot do that then they are not going to play and they shouldn't.

Holani's ability to protect Geno Smith being better than McIntosh might be all that is needed for the UDFA to take full control over a roster spot and lead McIntosh to being released. The positive is that the Boise State product was productive in college and averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored 26 rushing touchdowns, but he did get injured a few times. Assuming he stays healthy, he might be a decently productive NFL player.

According to what offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb told the press this week after a practice session, "I think George (Holani) has been a standout in general at camp. He’s got a really physical style...He’s a bright kid. He has the ability to pass; protect, and be really firm on the inside, and then at the same time, he has good hands outside. So I think George is a good fit."

That is about as glowing of a review of a new player as one is going to get. There are several reasons in what Grubb said alone for Holani to make the roster. His pass protection skills might cement the reason he does.

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