The Seahawks didn’t exactly go shopping for a marquee answer at running back this offseason. With Kenneth Walker III set to leave and Zach Charbonnet dealing with a major injury, John Schneider had to patch together the room, and the market didn’t offer many obvious solutions. Seattle brought in Emanuel Wilson on a one-year, $1.6 million deal - the kind of contract that fit a veteran backup, not someone who would end up driving the offense.
A month into the season, Wilson looks a lot more valuable than that price tag suggests.
Through four games, even without starting three of them, he leads Seattle in rushing yards with 190 and carries with 53. He’s also 23rd in the league in total production and has piled up 149 yards after contact, a sign that he’s bringing a physical edge the Seahawks have needed. The former Green Bay Packers RB2 has been, by a wide margin, Seattle’s most effective runner.
That matters because the rest of the backfield has been uneven. Jadarian Price has had ball-security issues and is now out with an injury, while George Holani hasn’t provided much in a pass-catching, third-down role. In that context, Wilson’s latest outing stood out even more: 21 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers, plus three catches for 39 yards and another score.
Given the condition of the room around him, that kind of performance makes a strong case for Wilson to keep the starting job for at least the next couple of games.
What makes the whole thing even more striking is the cost. Spotrac lists Wilson 50th among running backs in salary this season, and he’s making far less than several players who haven’t come close to matching his output over the first month.
Seattle didn’t set out to find a hidden gem, and there’s plenty of luck baked into the outcome. But the Seahawks have ended up with starting-caliber production from a bargain deal, and that’s a major win for a team trying to stay afloat while the backfield gets healthier.
Offensive coordinator Brian Fleury has already made a strong impression in his first four games, and the bigger question now is how much better this offense can look once the run game settles in. For that to happen, Seattle will need Price and Charbonnet back in the mix.
In Other News...
Seahawks Get Timely Injury Relief As 49ers Enter Sunday Shorthanded
The Seahawks are heading into Sunday with a fairly stable injury picture, a welcome development at a point in the season when availability can swing a matchup quickly. Ty Okada is expected to start, and several other Seattle players were able to log full or limited practices, giving the team a cleaner look on the week than it might have feared. San Francisco, meanwhile, is dealing with a much shakier situation, with multiple players limited or ruled out and a few returning pieces still being eased back in. Mykel Williams is expected to be on a snap count after coming off injured reserve, while several 49ers have already been declared out, leaving the game plan and the lineup both a little thinner than usual. [Read more 🡒]
Leonard Williams Gives Seahawks A Crucial 49ers Injury Test
Leonard Williams was back on the practice field Wednesday for the first time since hurting his ankle in Seattles recent game, though only in a limited role. For a Seahawks defense that leans on his size and steadiness up front, simply seeing him get in a workout was a meaningful step as the team began turning its attention to San Francisco.
Mike Macdonald sounded encouraged that Williams has a real chance to be available for the 49ers matchup, and that kind of update matters this time of year when every practice rep is scrutinized. The weeks injury report still includes several moving parts on both sides, but Williams status is the one Seattle will keep watching most closely as the game approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Week 5 RB Problem They Can't Ignore
The Seahawks went into the week trying to shore up their backfield, and the plan hit a snag when the teams attempted addition of Joe Mixon fell apart after he failed his physical. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald confirmed the signing did not work out, leaving Seattle to keep leaning on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani while the offense waits for more help at running back.
Zach Charbonnets recovery offers some relief on the horizon, with his return expected in the coming weeks, but the current setup leaves the Seahawks with a real Week 5 concern if the rotation has to hold up any longer. For now, the backfield remains thin, and the failed Mixon move only underscores how quickly a depth issue can become something the team cant afford to ignore. [Read more 🡒]