Seahawks likely forced to make roster move they don't want to after preseason Week 3

Trimming a roster from 90 to 53 means some extremely tough decisions need to be made. This not only includes which specific players to keep but also how to fit the puzzle together as far as size of position groups. Should the Seattle Seahawks keep one extra linebacker, for instance, that might mean one less offensive lineman.

Seattle might have wanted to keep just three running backs on the roster. The team does have a recent history of losing multiple backs for a game during the regular season and depth is extremely important, but the team could also keep a few backs on the practice squad and bring them up as needed. That might not be as possible in 2024.

The reason is that while Kenneth Walker III, who didn't play during the preseason simply to have him avoid a potential injury, and Zach Charbonnet are clearly RB1 and RB2, neither of Seattle's RB3 candidates are likely to pass through waivers. They have been too good in training camp and the preseason.

Kenny McIntosh and George Holani forcing the Seahawks to make a tough roster decision

In other words, the Seahawks are likely going to be forced to keep four running backs on the active roster.

Kenny McIntosh was a seventh-round choice in 2023 but due to injuries hardly played as a rookie. In last year's training camp - before he hurt his leg in the annual mock game - McIntosh looked explosive and versatile. He has proven to be those things again in camp this year, too, but he has been even better in preseason games.

McIntosh ran a 4.62 40 ahead of the 2023 draft, but he appears much faster than that. He is also stronger than he seems as well. This was all showcased on a 56-yard touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns in preseason Week 3 when the running back ran through a massive hole in the middle of the offensive line and began to outrun Browns defenders before McIntosh used a ridiculous stiff arm to shed a defensive back before sprinting to the end zone.

Not to be outdone all preseason, however, is fellow running back George Holani. Holani was an undrafted free agent this year but was productive - when healthy - in college. The likely reason he was not chosen in the draft is because of his injury history. He is too intriguing of a prospect to release on cut-down day, though, and another team would almost certainly pick him up before he can be re-signed to Seattle's practice squad.

Holani has some wiggle, but a lot of power. He is also an excellent blocker and appears NFL-ready in terms of pass protection.

Neither McIntosh nor Holani would be expected to get a lot of snaps in the regular season due to the excellence of Walker and Charbonnet, but if McIntosh or Holani needed to play, the Seahawks should be confident they would be productive. The players should stick on the roster which means Seattle would keep four running backs and a tough roster cut would have to be made at a different position.

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