The Seahawks were always going to draft a running back this year, regardless of how you feel about their value in the modern game. On the bright side, they may have picked the best one in this class.
In the second round Seattle selected Michigan State’s Ken Walker, a phenomenal athlete who is coming off an explosive 2021 season. Walker’s physical gifts combined with the team’s commitment to pounding the rock means he’s probably in for a bright future in the NFL. Some folks think he will hit the ground running and make an impact right away as a rookie.
On a list of potential Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates, Walker was ranked No. 6 on the list at NFL.com.
“Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny led the NFL in rushing yards over the final five weeks of the 2021 season, so his presence clouds Walker’s touch projections a bit. However, Penny signed a relatively modest one-year deal in the offseason and has a history of missing significant time due to injuries. Walker has true home-run speed and a chance to challenge for a starting role, at least by midseason. Whether he can prove a reliable pass protector is something to keep an eye on, though.”
The path will not be easy for Walker this year, though. First he’ll have to prove he’s a more capable rusher than Rashaad Penny, who finished the 2021 season as the best in the game in that department.
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