Will the Seahawks Look to the Draft to Find Their Next Running Back?

The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical question as the 2026 draft approaches: do they need to invest in a running back early in this year's selections?

With Kenneth Walker III no longer on the roster, the backfield picture has shifted for Mike Macdonald's offense. The Seahawks have some decisions to make about how they want to build out their ground game moving forward, especially with Sam Darnold taking the helm at quarterback and an offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury tasked with maximizing the team's weapons.

What the Seahawks Have at Receiver

On the bright side, the Seahawks are loaded with pass catchers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp give Sam Darnold some serious targets to work with in the passing game. That receiving corps is built to compete right now. The question becomes: does Macdonald want to use early draft capital on running back help, or does he trust his current options to fill that role later in the draft or through free agency?

The Running Back Puzzle

The loss of Walker leaves a void that needs addressing. Whether the Seahawks address it in the early rounds or wait to see what options develop later in the draft could tell you a lot about the direction Macdonald and Fleury want to take this offense. With so much invested in the passing game already, it's a fair question whether running back is truly a priority in the first few picks.

The next few weeks of draft preparation will be telling for Seahawks fans watching to see how the front office prioritizes its needs.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.