NFL Power Rankings 2020: Ranking every starting running back

12. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle spent years trying to find a replacement for Marshawn Lynch before stumbling onto Carson in the seventh-round of the 2017 NFL Draft. In college, Carson led Oklahoma State with 517 rushing yards in 2015, but Justice Hill quickly replaced him as the team’s lead back the following season.

While he never stood out in college, Carson is one of the most consistent backs in the NFL today. Following an injury-shortened rookie season in 2017, Carson became Seattle’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Lynch in 2014. In the past two seasons, the Oklahoma State product produced 2,381 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.

Carson did suffer a hip fracture in Seattle’s Week 16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but the team fully expects he’ll start in Week 1. The same can’t be said for Rashaad Penny. The 2018 first-round pick tore his ACL in Week 14. Penny could open the upcoming season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, meaning he’d miss at least Seattle’s first five games.

Carson finds himself in the same situation as James Conner, Leonard Fournette, Aaron Jones, and Marlon Mack. The running back’s rookie contract ends after the 2020 season. After making under $1 million in each of his first three seasons, Carson will earn $2,149,283 this year. That’s the 38th most money a running back will make this coming season. Recently signed backup Carlos Hyde ($2.75 million) and Penny ($2.936 million) will make more money than Carson in 2020.