Seattle Seahawks: Breaking down the triple threat backfield

With the recent emergence of rookie Rashaad Penny, the Seattle Seahawks now have three solid runners in their backfield.

There’s a reason why the Seattle Seahawks are leading the NFL in rushing yards per game for the first time since 2014, back when Marshawn Lynch was with the team. The Seahawks have stumbled headlong into having one of the deepest, most consistent backfields in the NFL. The trio isn’t like an Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram duo. They lack that kind of star-power, which makes their accomplishments all the more impressive and gratifying.

It’s amazing if you step back and look at the origins of the three main running backs. Chris Carson was a seventh-round selection from Oklahoma State in the 2017 NFL Draft. He played in just four games as a rookie last year and started three of them before he was sidelined for the rest of the season with an injury.

Mike Davis was a fourth-round pick back in 2015 by the San Francisco 49ers. In two years with the 49ers Davis played in 14 games and recorded just 108 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. He joined the Seahawks at the start of the 2017 season and has started eight games since.

In 15 games with his second team, Davis has 612 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 265 receiving yards, and is averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

Rashaad Penny was a first-round selection with the 27th pick in this year’s draft. The San Diego State product was the second running back taken, ahead of fellow rushers like Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, and Derrius Guice.

Needless to say, he was a surprising selection that has been highly scrutinized since. He was banged up early in the season and never found any consistency until Week 10 when he carried the ball 12 times for 108 yards and a touchdown.

Looking ahead, Carson is under contract through 2020, which is when his rookie deal runs out. Penny’s rookie deal has him under contract through 2021 with a potential fifth-year option for 2022. Davis on the other hand will be a free agent after this season.

He only signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks this offseason, meaning the 25-year old will hit the market again this offseason. It’s safe to say he’s earned himself a pay raise with the work he’s put in this year.

While Davis’ impending departure is unfortunate, it will allow the Seahawks to focus on Carson and Penny. Penny especially needs to see more touches if he’s going to continue developing into the talented player the Seahawks want him to be. Seahawks fans should be excited about this young duo. Paired with Russell Wilson, the new ground game will help the Seahawks get back to the postseason.