Assessing the Seahawks' running back group

Seattle drafted two rookies to join Walker and Dallas and now faces yet another season in which they may be rostering four or more running backs. In fact, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times is fairly sure that four backs will be retained on the 53-man roster, with the likely question being who takes that fourth spot.

Walker, who finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting with an impressive debut campaign, is certain to return as the team’s lead back. After amassing 1,050 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 11 starts, he will be looking to take the next step during his sophomore season.

Dallas returns for the final year of his rookie contract. He has never had a chance to display much as a backup running back, usually splitting touches with Homer and Penny, not to mention Chris Carson, Alex Collins and Carlos Hyde in previous years. This may be the year that Dallas gets to break out out as a true primary backup behind Walker. Even if the two rookies prevent him from establishing a role as RB2, Dallas’s roster spot should be safe. Over his three years in Seattle, Dallas has been a dedicated special teams contributor and a reliable returner of both punts and kickoffs.

The Seahawks used a second-round selection, their fourth pick in the first two rounds, to select Zach Charbonnet out of UCLA. Charbonnet projects as the most likely option to unseat Dallas as the second back behind Walker. After a strong freshman season at Michigan that saw him rush for 726 yards and 11 touchdowns, Charbonnet lost carries as a sophomore to Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum, leading to a transfer to the west coast. Charbonnet responded to the loss of his job in Ann Arbor by dominating the Pac-12, rushing for 2,496 yards and 27 touchdowns over two seasons with the Bruins. He brings a bit more size to the position than Walker or Dallas, yet still provides a surprising agility to go along with great vision and reliable pass-catching.

Seventh-rounder Kenny McIntosh was the team’s final draft pick of 2023. As a senior at Georgia last season, McIntosh finally received an opportunity to perform as lead back after the NFL departures of James Cook and Zamir White. McIntosh delivered with 829 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, but he truly thrived as a receiving back, catching 43 passes for 505 yards and two more scores. Walker, Dallas and Charbonnet all have some pass-catching ability, but McIntosh’s specialty in the area may be enough to secure him a roster spot as a rookie. McIntosh has similar size to Charbonnet and more experience as a committee back with a receiving role from his time with the Bulldogs.

The only other back on the roster (after the team waived undrafted rookie Chris Smith this week) is Bryant Koback, a previously undrafted running back who spent last season on the Vikings’ practice squad. Koback put up ridiculous numbers at Toledo, rushing for 4,026 yards and 45 touchdowns over his career as a Rocket. That total could have been even higher if Koback hadn’t been limited to six games in a COVID-shortened 2020 season. While Koback has a strong college resume, Condotta is under the impression that it will take a lot in order for him to unseat McIntosh as the fourth running back on Seattle's roster.

Therein lies the plan at running back for the Seahawks in 2023. Walker should continue as the team’s lead back, with either Dallas or Charbonnet taking over key backup duties. Dallas can also compete for pass-catching duties with the other rookie, McIntosh. And, unless Charbonnet and McIntosh make Dallas completely superfluous with strong special teams contributions of their own, Dallas should continue to be a core special teamer for the Seahawks. All this while Koback gives his best audition to prove he deserves a chance come the regular season.