Seattle Seahawks: Could C.J. Prosise overtake Eddie Lacy?
Much to-do has been made about Eddie Lacy with the Seattle Seahawks, but could C.J. Prosise be the better option when healthy?
When talk this offseason has turned to the Seattle Seahawks backfield entering 2017, the conversation often turns to Eddie Lacy. Most notably, people want to talk about his weight clause. Thus far, he’s earned contract incentives for meeting weight goals by certain dates. The hope is that, if they can get him in shape, he can get back to being healthy and productive.
If Lacy is healthy and in shape, there’s little reason to doubt what he can do. However, his health might be more concerning, as is his ability to stay in shape throughout a 16-game season. Both have been struggles for him as of late. Subsequently, there’s a chance for other running backs in Seattle to make some noise and nip at his heels on the depth chart.
Many will bring up Thomas Rawls in this regard. Though he was down and injured last season, he’s proven to be a powerful force in this league at times. However, perhaps the bigger threat to Lacy’s job in Seattle is second-year running back C.J. Prosise.
We saw very little of Prosise a year ago, due both to his inexperience and then an injury. However, he was explosive when given the opportunity. Prosise took 30 carries for 172 yards and one trip to the end zone last season. He was even better as a pass-catcher, hauling in 17 of his 19 targets for 208 yards and eight first downs.
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Considering how little we saw of Prosise, though, it’s hard to say what Seattle will get from him in 2017. What’s certain, however, is that he’s far more explosive than Lacy is, even when the former Green Bay Packer is in shape. Prosise has tremendous speed and elusiveness to break plays open, which he showcased both with his pass-catching a 72-yard touchdown run against the Philadelphia Eagles.
With that said, is he capable enough to overtake Lacy if the more veteran newcomer underperforms, gets hurt or gets back out of shape?
In truth, it’s hard to say anything certain in that regard. Given his injury last season, durability is as much a concern for Prosise as it is for Lacy. At the same time, though, he’s a player who has looked far more dynamic last season when healthy than Lacy has in quite some time. Thus, the possibility for a coup in the backfield is there.
To start the season, the assumption would be that Prosise will take much of the third-down and passing-down work in the Seahawks offense. Even being unproven, he’s clearly far more dangerous than Lacy in that regard. The question will be whether or not he can show enough to impress more than Lacy.
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Given the weight clauses and general level of uncertainty around the incoming free agent, the window of opportunity for Prosise is seemingly there. It’s up to him to jump through it if it were to open further.