4 Seahawks players who could be nice surprises in 2024
By Lee Vowell
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Running back Zach Charbonnet could have a breakout season
Charbonnet is still going to be the backup to Kenneth Walker III, but Seattle should run the ball more this season. In 2023, former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron passed the ball the fifth-most in the NFL. There still seems to be a national view that the Seahawks were too run-heavy under Pete Carroll the last couple of years but these people clearly do not do their homework as far as how Seattle's offense operated. Seattle likely should have run more.
New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will take better advantage of all the tools given him and that includes two good running backs. Charbonnet is a great fit in Grubb's scheme, however, because he is a bigger back who can grind out yards. Walker will start, and he should. He is a versatile and explosive back, but Charbonnet should definitely get more chances.
In 2023, Charbonnet averaged 6.8 carries per game, but he has five rushes or less in seven games. The second-year player should get closer to 10 carries a game which will help Walker stay fresh, but also be the thunder to Walker's lightning. Seattle is still going to throw the ball, of course, as they have excellent receivers such as DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett, but running the ball more is going to help everyone.
Charbonnet finished with 462 yards rushing last year with another 209 in receiving yards. Next season, he should eclipse 700 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving.