Seattle Seahawks: Best pick from every draft under John Schneider

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 02: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers talks with middle linebacker Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks following the game at CenturyLink Field on December 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks beat the 49ers 43-16. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 23: Chris Carson #32 of the Seattle Seahawks carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

2017 – Chris Carson (249th overall)

While cornerback Shaquill Griffin has shown a lot of promise, Carson made a much bigger splash in Seattle last season. While Carroll gave Carson starting snaps in three games in 2017 before the rookie landed on IR and said he was impressed with Carson, the running back’s future was far from secure.

The former seventh-round selection out of Oklahoma State wasn’t even a lock to win the starting job heading into 2018. The Seahawks even drafted running back Rashaad Penny in the first round, showing how little faith they had in Carson and the other backs on the roster.

That Penny pick isn’t looking so smart right now. Carson started 14 games in 2018 and carried the ball 247 times for 1,151 yards and nine touchdowns. Carson’s 82.2 rushing yards per game ranked fourth among all runners in 2018, just behind Joe Mixon, Todd Gurley, and Ezekiel Elliott. The Seahawks built their new run-heavy style of offense around Carson and it looks like he’ll be at the center of it all again in 2019.

Carson’s current contract runs through the 2020 seasons, and if he can stay healthy until then he’ll surely have the opportunity to cash in on his success. Since Carson was a seventh-round selection, he’s making no more than $735,000 in any given year of his current deal. Seattle should start game planning ahead of time about what to do with Carson’s contract. It would be best to avoid another Frank Clark or Earl Thomas situation.

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