The Seahawks’ running game isn’t very good.
We’re now half-way through December and the chances of this being fixed feel remote. Whether it’s the blocking, the scheme, the play-calling or the performance of the running backs — they’ve not been able to get this going.
It might be the only thing that hasn’t come off for the Seahawks in 2025. Yet because it was such a focal point after last season’s disastrous offensive effort, it’ll probably be a cause for concern in the off-season. Perhaps, even the priority.
If this staff remain together as is, I think you’re unlikely to see significant scheme tweaks. This is very much a zone-scheme staff.
They could look to make changes to the O-line. There are decent zone-blocking linemen eligible for the draft. They could look to free agency.
I also think we could see them move for a different type of running back.
In recent times we’ve seen a little bit of a shift in trend at the position which hasn’t really been talked about that much.
Although the conventionally sized 5-10, 225lbs Jonathan Taylor is leading the NFL with 1443 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, a different type of player is also succeeding.
James Cook, Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane and Kyren Williams are all under 205lbs and two (Cook and Achane) are sub-200lbs. TreVeyon Henderson, who has emerged as a major threat for the Patriots, is 5-10 and 208lbs.
They succeed with suddenness, burst and a slippery ability to navigate through traffic. Once in the open field they can turn good plays into great plays. They’re also dynamic pass-catchers out of the backfield. Gibbs and Achane are in the top-four for receiving yards among runners.
It’s worth noting that this is a trend that might trace back to Christian McCaffrey. He was 202lbs at his combine. He’s since bulked up to a more robust 210lbs as he prepares to turn 30 next year. Yet he too came into the league as this type of smaller, shiftier back who is comfortable as a pass-catcher.
Typically the Seahawks have gone after a prototypical profile. Ken Walker was 5-9 and 211lbs at his combine, while Zach Charbonnet was 6-0 and 214lbs. Over the years we’ve been able to successfully project draft targets for the Seahawks at the position mainly by looking at just their height/size and explosive traits.
Could they look for a different type of player next year?
It stands to reason that someone with great acceleration would help on those outside zone runs. The big thing about the new-age running backs (if you want to go as far as to call them that) is they’re also tough despite being undersized. Cook is third in the NFL for yards after contact (830) with Achane (792) fifth.
In comparison, Ken Walker is only 20th.
If you look at yards after contact per attempt, Achane actually leads the NFL (4.10). Here are the other significant numbers and rankings:
Achane — 1st — 4.10
Henderson — 4th — 3.61
Charbonnet — 10th — 3.31
Williams — 20th — 3.10
Gibbs — 23rd — 3.08
Cook — 24th — 3.06
Walker — 32nd — 2.95
I can imagine a situation next off-season where Walker is allowed to walk as a free agent with the intention of pairing Charbonnet with a more electric runner — essentially an attempt to create their own version of Detroit’s two-pronged attack with Gibbs and David Montgomery.
The Seahawks were linked to interest in Achance before the trade deadline. If that talk was legit, it suggests they’re already mindful of wanting something different. Perhaps this could be something they look at again in the off-season?
It’s believed Miami’s asking price for Achane pre-deadline was a second round pick. A lot of fans would balk at the idea of making that deal for a running back — especially given the significant second round investments made in Walker and Charbonnet without any great return.
Let’s put it this way though. Are the Seahawks not close to being something of a complete team if they can genuinely fix their running game? What else is there to solve?
You could probably do a lot worse for a second round investment than adding a player who is top-five for receiving yards among runners, top for yards after contact per attempt and fourth for total rushing yards despite playing on a pretty mediocre Miami team and having played a game fewer than his peers.
I do think the Seahawks will be minded to be aggressive next off-season. As I’ve been talking about for a few months now, this is looking like the worst draft class I’ve covered since starting the blog in 2008. I think the league broadly recognises this too. For contending teams wanting to push forwards next off-season, the best bet to do that could be on the trade market.
The main focus of my ‘thinking out loud’ session on this topic has been to wonder if they’d go back in for Maxx Crosby, given the Raiders appear to be closer to embracing a much-needed proper rebuild.
However, that would be a very expensive and competitive deal to complete. It might not be possible to pull even if there’s a desire to get something done. You’re not going to put all of your eggs in one basket. If a Crosby type mega-trade isn’t an option, Achane could be a very reasonable alternative target.
He’s only 24-years-old and won’t turn 25 until next October. He would be in a contract year in 2026. However, the franchise tag would offer some immediate security. It’s projected to be around $14.1m for next year.
Ideally you would just draft your own version but the only prospect I’ve seen so far who truly matches this ‘type’ is Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah love. He won’t be available to the Seahawks — I think people will be surprised by how early he goes next April.
You could look at someone like Rico Dowdle who’s a free agent. Yet if you want to acquire that true X-factor player to supercharge your running game — Achane would be the one to target.
If they added a significant piece to the interior O-line and traded for him, would that give the Seahawks the best chance to fix their running game? Possibly. And that could be the finishing touch that is needed for this very balanced team, if indeed it is needed after this season ends.
