Others are established NFL veterans whom basic supervisor John Schneider must purchase by commerce. To be clear, these veteran targets are pure hypothesis at this level. There is a logic to such offers, however there was no vital indication that something is definitely below dialogue.
The mere indisputable fact that so many running backs are being related to Seattle at this level suggests that everybody acknowledges how a lot the Seahawks’ offense will miss Kenneth Walker III this season.
How ought to the Seattle Seahawks proceed with their running back state of affairs?
The indisputable fact that Zach Charbonnet is recovering from a late-season torn ACL compounds the seriousness, however this is able to have been an space of curiosity for Schneider even when Charbonnet have been 100% wholesome.
Charbonnet is slated for free company in 2027. Therefore, each his short-term future (as a consequence of restoration) and his long-term future (as a consequence of contract) are doubtful. And Charbonnet isn’t alone. Seattle has seven running backs presently below contract.
None are signed past the upcoming season, although two of them – George Holani and Jacardia Wright – will likely be topic to membership management based mostly on their restricted free company standing.
Clearly, choices should be made, and adjustments are extremely seemingly. The whispers about big-name commerce targets could also be solely ephemeral, however there is a wonderful probability that at least one new running back will likely be becoming a member of the membership in the close to future.
Let’s think about 4 of the most outstanding names which have been talked about currently.
Mike Washington Jr., University of Arkansas
This is the most probably runner that Schneider will purchase. In what’s seen as a down 12 months for running backs, Washington is often ranked as the third or fourth finest, with a third-round draft grade. If Schneider actually needs him, he can in all probability be Seattle’s second-round choose. If Schneider waits till the third, there is no such thing as a assure Washington will nonetheless be out there.
Washington is a punishing back with distinctive early pace. At 6’1”, 223 kilos, he has the measurement to run inside, and his blistering 4.33 pace is definitely sooner than Walker’s time. His time over the first ten yards, which is important for a runner, is sort of good, too, although he’s not as explosive as Walker.
However, he doesn’t have Walker’s capability to chop in the gap – to bounce runs exterior and make a protection pay for being overly aggressive. He is a one-cut, downhill power and can acquire yards in the NFL, however he won’t be an actual game-changer.
In that regard, I wouldn’t see Washington as a alternative for Walker as a lot as a back who can pair with Wilson in a committee if Charbonnet’s restoration is sluggish. If he thrives in that function, Washington would then be the logical option to take over the function Charbonnet has been dealing with ought to Charbonnet depart by way of free company in 2027.
Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Price isn’t the bodily specimen that Washington is, however in his backup function at Notre Dame, he has confirmed to be a much more pure runner. Price excels in these areas which might be more durable to quantify – imaginative and prescient and speak to stability. He is mostly rated simply forward of Washington because of this.
Schneider could discover him on the board at the finish of the second spherical, however that’s dangerous. Since most analysts don’t think about him a first-round expertise, the odds of winding up with Price are in query.
Price doesn’t have Kenneth Walker’s uncommon capability to show brief between-the-tackle runs into game-breaking landing gallops, however he has given indications that he might be an efficient lead running back in the NFL.
He is barely undersized at 5’10”, 204 kilos, however the greater problem is just the indisputable fact that he has not had the probability to show what he can do in faculty. Playing behind the finest back in the nation – Jeremiyah Love – has left everybody interested in how Price would fare if given an even bigger function.
Price could be a greater long-term choice as a outstanding back for the Seahawks than Washington, however Schneider must prioritize him over different positions of want with a purpose to safe his providers, and that will be the sort of gamble that Schneider has been loath to make.
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Achane is a really harmful speedster coming off a sensational Pro Bowl season with the Dolphins. Miami is in a total rebuild, and although they’ve mentioned they won’t commerce their star runner, lots of people in the league consider he might be had for a value.
As trying as it could be to pair a dynamic back like Achane with both Charbonnet or Wilson this 12 months, I’d be cautious of the transfer. Achane was certainly extremely productive each as a runner and as a cross catcher final 12 months, and additionally it is true that he’s simply 24 and has minimal put on and tear on his physique.
But his body is considerably slimmer than the different backs below dialogue. And regardless of his apparent pace, Achane has posted surprisingly common burst scores. Though he was glorious in a lead function final 12 months, I might fear about his capability to carry up as a real lead back over the long run.
Achane would demand a value that will make him Seattle’s de facto RB1. It doesn’t make sense to pay the crucial value to have him merely be the lightning in a thunder and lightning tandem.
Breece Hall, New York Jets
This is the back I need. This is the back that most closely resembles Walker. He combines pace and energy. He has distinctive burst and excellent running instincts. He is an excellent receiver.
The Jets are in the identical state of affairs as the Dolphins. They have denied that Hall is on the market, however it could actually be value making a telephone name. Achane was higher – by a fairly huge margin – in 2025, and he has a bit extra tread on this tire, so the asking value for Hall needs to be corresponding to that of Achane.
Though he does have a number of further miles, Hall continues to be simply 24 and enjoying in a top quality system, might be a top-five running back in the NFL.
I believe there’s a excellent probability that Schneider ends up drafting both Washington or Price in a few weeks, and I don’t suppose there may be a lot probability of Achane coming to the Northwest.
But Breece Hall is just too intriguing to disregard. He offers Seattle the finest probability of defending its Lombardi Trophy in 2026. I can’t say if John Schneider shares my opinion, however I might hope he’s at least having conversations about the Jets runner.
