4 running backs who could be steals for Seahawks on Day 3 of 2024 NFL draft

The Seattle Seahawks should not take a running back in the first two rounds in 2024. The team has done that in each of the last two drafts, however. Maybe that was a Pete Carroll idea and not a John Schneider one.

But former head coach Carroll is gone now and Mike Macdonald is in to replace him. General manager Schneider has final roster say for the first time in his Seattle career which began in 2010. The 2024 NFL draft is going to belong to Schneider.

Seattle still does need a running back, though. DeeJay Dallas left in free agency and while second-year player Kenny McIntosh could step into Dallas' place, only having three backs would be a mistake. Seattle should be able to get a gem on Day 3 of the draft and that could be one of the players that follow.

Four running backs who could be 2024 NFL draft gems for the Seattle Seahawks

Ray Davis, Kentucky

Davis is the kind of bigger back that Pete Carroll would have loved. The question is whether John Schneider also likes the same kind of back. Kenneth Walker was somewhat of an outlier when Seattle chose him in the second round of the 2022 draft, but Seattle reverted back to their normal way in 2023 with Zach Charbonnet. But since Seattle has a recent history of watching their running backs get hurt, getting a bigger back who can grind out yards, if needed, might be the smart way to go.

Davis will take any yard available and force the defense to bring him down. He had 751 yards after contact in 2023, 26th-best in the nation. His 21 total touchdowns led the SEC. Kentucky did not run a heavy zone blocking scheme whereas Seattle likely will, so there could be a bit of an adjustment for Davis in that aspect. He also will turn 25 years old during the 2024 season and being that old for a rookie likely will hurt his draft stock so he falls to round four or further.

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

If you like big backs, Allen is your guy. He is 6'2" and 245 pounds and does not possess the blazing speed of another big back like Derrick Henry. Of course, Henry is a once-in-a-generation player and few have had his blend of speed and power, but NFL backs do need to be more than just bulldozers. Once through the line, they need to be able to create havoc in the opponent's secondary.

Allen is faster than his size might imply, however. He averaged 5.4 yards a carry over his final three seasons at Wisconsin and slow running backs would not have that kind of consistency. He also had 35 rushing touchdowns over his last three years. Allen is only 20 years old and while he struggles with spatial awareness, he might be able to grow and develop into someone who is much better in that aspect.

Jonathon Brooks, Texas

Brooks would likely go in the first three rounds of the draft, but he tore his ACL late in 2023 which is going to hurt his draft stock. Unlike the first two backs on this list, Brooks is a fast back with elite explosiveness, assuming he returns to full health. He is also a good receiver and is easily capable of playing on any down. Should the Seahawks suffer injuries again this season and Brooks is on the roster, he could carry a full load.

He does need to get stronger in his legs, however. All that speed is great, but if you can only hit home runs and not hit singles, a running back is not going to help the offense be very efficient. In an NFL weight training program, however, Brooks should get stronger.

Bucky Irving, Oregon

Irving is small but he is powerful. At just 5'10" and 195 pounds, one might assume he is simply a speed back and a third-down player. That would be a false narrative, however. Irving has a low center of gravity which makes him hard to tackle and great balance which allows him to bounce off tackles and pick up extra yards.

He also knows how to be productive. In 2023 at Oregon, Irving had 1,593 total yards and 13 total touchdowns. He would be an excellent part of the rotation and able to spell Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet as needed.