Kenneth Walker III
Getty
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It’s not often the reigning Super Bowl MVP departs for another team in free agency just a month after winning it all, but that’s the situation the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in. Star RB Kenneth Walker III ended the season on a tear and carried that over into the playoffs, leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory and elevating the entire offense in the process.
But now Walker is in Kansas City, and the Seahawks will also be without his former backfield running mate, Zach Charbonnet, for most of next season after he suffered a major knee injury in Seattle’s first playoff game. As a result, the Seahawks are now forced to replace their top two backs from last season. Once sporting one of the best running back tandems in the league, Seattle almost has to start from scratch.
The Seattle Seahawks are Urged to Target a Running Back Who Can Replace Walker’s Explosiveness
Mike Washington Jr.
GettyFAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – AUGUST 30: Mike Washington Jr. #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball in the second half against Preston Clendenin #13 of the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Bulldogs 52-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
On Friday, ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid broke down the biggest draft needs for all 32 NFL teams, as well as some potential options in the later rounds. They highlighted three positions of need for the Seahawks: cornerback, edge rusher, and running back.
“With Kenneth Walker III departing in free agency and Zach Charbonnet likely to miss much of next season after knee surgery, the Seahawks have to replace their top two rushers from 2025,” Brady Henderson wrote. “They’re high on George Holani and signed Emanuel Wilson to give them a power runner, but they still need to replace Walker’s explosiveness.”
“And even if DeMarcus Lawrence puts off retirement for another year, Seattle has to add youth on the edge after letting Boye Mafe walk,” Henderson continued. “They did the same with Riq Woolen, who was their No. 3 corner.”
Reid then highlighted Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. as a good option to address one of those needs after Round 1 of the draft.
“At 6-foot-1, 223 pounds, Washington is a large running back who has ascended throughout the predraft process,” Reid wrote. “Like Walker, he can puncture defenses with a mixture of explosive and tough runs. Washington had 51 rushes of 10-plus yards in 2025.”
Other Draft Options for the Seattle Seahawks
Washington has an electric size/speed combination that would certainly thrive in that Seattle backfield. But Henderson also named edge rusher and cornerback as two other needs for the Seahawks. What could they do at those positions?
The good news for Seattle is that those are the two deepest positions in this entire draft. At cornerback, I really like Texas’ Malik Muhammad and Georgia’s Daylen Everette. Both are physical press corners with plus ball skills and great zone awareness. They would each thrive in Mike Macdonald’s system.
Alternatively, at edge rusher, Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker and Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas are some intriguing Day 2 options. Both provide a lot of speed off the edge that Seattle could use.