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Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Prosise’s role is clear

By Kevin Parvizi

Nov 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back C.J. Prosise (20) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Notre Dame won 42-30. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back C.J. Prosise (20) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Notre Dame won 42-30. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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It may seem too early to hand a specific role to a rookie who wasn’t even a first-round pick, but there is no better fit for the Seattle Seahawks third-down running back role than former Notre Dame standout C.J. Prosise.

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A former wide receiver, C.J. Prosise never had 30 receptions in a given college football season (he did have over 500 receiving yards as a junior, though), but there is a widespread belief that he can be the right man to catch passes from Russell Wilson out of the backfield for the Seattle Seahawks.

Prosise, who rushed for 1,000 yards in his final collegiate season, turned in a 4.48 forty and has the speed, size, and elusiveness to be an impact player. The Seahawks backfield rotation is crowded, and preference will be given to smashmouth-style rushers Thomas Rawls and Alex Collins in obvious running situations.

But on third downs, there just isn’t a better option than Prosise. Neither Rawls nor Collins profile as passing-down backs, and the Seahawks leader among RBs in receptions last season was veteran Fred Jackson. He caught 32 passes but was largely a non-factor, so there’s a clear opening for Prosise to take control with Jackson off the roster.

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Essentially, Prosise is facing no competition for a gig that the Seahawks seem to want to emphasize. After all, why else would they bother signing Jackson last year, dialing up 41 targets for an over-the-hill player who averaged just 3.8 yards per carry and 8.0 yards per reception?

Seahawks official site beat writer John Boyle wrote that Prosise is the favorite to be the team’s pass-catching back, adding that it is a coveted job in the offense.

I find his comments on the role as a whole to be more noteworthy, because there is no debate that Prosise is the best for the job, given his skill-set. However, it is more interesting to read that the Seahawks place a high degree of value on the third-down back, which means that Prosise can take this chance and run with it.

Dec 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks on during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll looks on during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

No, Prosise is not fantasy relevant for most players, but he will be “football” relevant in 2016. Again, he is the best pass-catcher and the most elusive running back on the roster, and 30 receptions looks like his floor if he can stay healthy.

Prosise’s biggest question mark on passing downs will be his pass protection, which is something most rookies struggle with. I think the Seahawks will be willing to see Prosise take some lumps in blitz pick-up, though his issues in pass pro could be exacerbated by the line in front of him. As long as he can bail Wilson out with his hands and generate some big plays with his legs, the Seahawks will see him as a key asset.

After stringing Wilson along with a run-heavy offense led by Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks have built a multi-faceted offense that is capable of slamming teams with the run (Rawls and Collins) or blasting away at the scoreboard via the pass. Wilson had the NFL’s best QB Rating in 2015, proving that he can lead a top-five passing attack. With big receivers, possession guys, slot weapons, small speedsters, athletic tight ends, and now a true pass-catching back, the Seahawks have created an offense that can generate every mis-match imaginable.

Now, Prosise is a part of that, and we can quit trying to be timid about what his role will be. Everyone knows that the third-down gig is his to own, and the Seahawks drafted him 90th overall in the hopes that he can be that guy right-off-the-bat.

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If he flops, the Seahawks might not have that third-down RB on their roster, but they already have big plans for him. As per Q13 Fox Sports’s Aaron Levine, the ‘Hawks split him out wide at practice, meaning that he has a shot to be their own version of Shane Vereen; the man who carved them in their last Super Bowl appearance.

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