New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) on a rushing attempt during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

NFL scout compares Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker to Le’Veon Bell

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 11/1/22

Following his breakout performance in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has unseated Breece Hall for the title of best rookie runner in the NFL.

The Michigan State alum has been so impressive through seven games, in fact, that one anonymous NFL scout told the Score’s Jordan Schultz that Walker reminded him of another former Spartan and NFL great, Le’Veon Bell.

"I'm not going to say he's better than Bell because there was a five-year stretch when Le'Veon was the best in the league," the scout said. "But I'm not going to say he won't get there, either. He's faster than Le'Veon, more explosive. Le'Veon was a very talented runner who really saw the field. His reads were what separated him. That takes time, but in terms of raw tools, Walker's right there with him."

Kenneth Walker: 353 rushing yards since week 5

Leads entire NFL pic.twitter.com/63zqUWmrIw
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) October 24, 2022

In seven games, including three starts, Walker has rushed for 461 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He has the sixth-most rush yards over expected this season (150), and he also has the fastest recorded speed of any ball carrier this season (22.09 miles per hour) per NextGen Stats.

Walker’s stats are all the more impressive considering he’s faced a loaded box 30.59 percent of the time — seventh-most in the league. He ranks third among all rookies and 17th among all tailbacks in rushing yards, and he’s tied for the sixth-most rushing touchdowns.