Analysis: Kenneth Walker Gives Seahawks Much-Needed Backfield Insurance Policy
Heading into the draft, functioning back again didn’t necessarily stand out as 1 of the Seahawks a lot more pressing requirements. The staff re-signed Rashaad Penny in cost-free company and even if Chris Carson did not bounce back again from neck medical procedures, DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer remained on the roster.
Nonetheless, with Seattle known for deploying a balanced offense with much more emphasis on the floor video game than most NFL groups, Penny becoming on just a 1-yr deal, and Carson’s wellness up in the air at this level, common supervisor John Schneider threw his yearly draft 7 days curveball by applying just one of the team’s two next spherical selections to select Michigan Condition functioning again Kenneth Walker III with decide No. 41.
Following starting off his university job at Wake Forest, Walker transferred to Michigan State prior to the 2021 season and erupted as the featured back again in a professional-style procedure. Successful the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best working again and earning First-Crew All-American honors, he rushed for over 1,600 yards and scored 18 touchdowns on the ground, helping the Spartans end with an 11-2 report.
Crafted with an athletic 5-foot-9, 211-pound body, Walker is not always a bruising battering ram like Carson who bowls around defenders like a dump truck on a frequent basis. However, he breaks and slips as a result of arm tackles in bunches with a impressive set of pistons beneath him and has sufficient wiggle in place to make defenders arrive up vacant at the 2nd stage. As soon as he finds daylight, he turns on the jets with sub-4.40 speed to go the length.
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For each Sports activities Data Remedies, the dynamic Walker led the nation with 1,001 hurrying yards following make contact with and broke 85 tackles very last period. Apparently, in accordance to Professional Football Target, he tied Penny and Colts star Jonathan Taylor for the highest yards immediately after call typical in a season (4.5).
A actual physical runner with explosive athletic attributes, Walker only fumbled two times in his overall faculty occupation and does an fantastic occupation of protecting the football. He also proved to be tough, racking up 20 or additional carries in six video games for the Spartans and being balanced in the course of the program of his lone period as a element back.
Entering the league, Walker’s pass catching capacity remains mainly mysterious. He only caught 18 passes in his whole higher education profession, but he was trustworthy when specified options to lead in the passing match and failed to drop any passes a year ago. To be an each down back, nonetheless, he will have to make significant strides in go protection, as he will not regularly phase up into the struggle to consider on oncoming blitzers, usually seeming disinterested.
In the quick long term, Walker’s standing in the backfield will ride on Carson’s health and fitness. If the veteran ball provider is not balanced ample to return to enjoy, and the range of a back again this early implies the business is not hopeful, the All-Significant Ten selection will be the favourite to be a part of forces with Penny and variety an remarkable one particular-two punch. Over and above 2022, if he improves in go security, he has a wonderful prospect to grow to be the team’s new bell cow back again in the close to long run.
