Seahawks add much-needed depth with RB Zach Charbonnet

The Seahawks continued to write their 2023 draft success story by adding Zach Charbonnet to their running back corps with their fourth pick of this draft. I love what he brings to Seattle, but I wonder if he can jump into the DT rotation. Asking for a friend.

The Seahawks continued their best player available strategy with their fourth pick of the draft, UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet. I'm not saying they didn't address a need here. All good little 12s know that Kenneth Walker III was the true offensive rookie of the year in 2022. After K-9, the Hawks have Deejay Dallas and... uh...yeah. So getting one of the best running backs in this draft was certainly a need, and Charbonnet checks off all the boxes.

At 6'0" and 214 pounds, Zach Charbonnet has the prototypical size for the position. He began his collegiate career at Michigan. I won't hold the fact that he transferred to UCLA after his sophomore season against him. Not for too long, anyway. It was certainly the right move for Charbonnet, as he blossomed for the Bruins. He ran for over 1100 yards as a junior and topped 1300 in his senior season. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry at UCLA, and added 61 receptions in his two seasons in LA.

Zach Charbonnet can do it all for the Sehawks backfield

Yes, Charbonnet will be a weapon out of the backfield. More importantly, he can block, so he is a legitimate three-down back. Listen, I love Dallas, but he's more of a specialist. Charbonnet can step into the lead role if needed and will be an excellent complement to Walker. I'm pretty sure Geno Smith had a big smile on his face when he saw he got another target and a blocker wrapped up in one package.

With a forty time of 4.53, he doesn't have insane breakaway speed. As Lance Zierlein wrote in his draft profile for nfl.com, Charbonnet projects as a solid rusher, and a player who adds a lot of value as a receiver and blocker on third down. I'll admit that draftbuzz.com isn't as sold on his blocking skills, but their overall impression of Shar Bon Yay is that he's an even better rusher and receiver than the NFL site projected. Noted for above-average ball security, patience when finding holes, and the power to burst through in short-yardage situations, he's a great addition to the Seahawks running back room.

The only thing I don't like about the pick is that Seattle has now gone through their first four selections and we still haven't added an interior defensive lineman. As I wrote in my praise of JSN, I believe the Hawks would have gone for Kalijah Cancey at 20, but he was snatched away by the miserable Buccaneers. Oh, I love Smith-Njigba. I just wish Seattle had landed a defensive tackle by now. That's okay, he's coming up soon, I'm sure. Perhaps he'll be one of our day three sleepers. I'm sold on Zach Charbonnet, and I'm sold on the Seahawks' 2023 draft.