The Seahawks have one of the best backfields in the NFL this year. Rookies Kenny McIntosh (Georgia) and Zach Charbonnet (UCLA) will join veterans DeeJay Dallas and Ken Walker, who’s No. 1 on the depth chart now that Rashaad Penny is playing for the Eagles.
While he has plenty of room to improve, Walker showed a ton of promise in his rookie year and he’s getting some due recognition. In ESPN’s top 10 running back rankings for the 2023 season Walker missed the cut but he did get an honorable mention.
“His 4.2 rush efficiency rating tied Najee Harris for the league high. “He’s like a good mix of everything,” a high-ranking NFL personnel official said. “He probably has the least power of the three [rookies from 2022, with Hall and Pierce], but he’s quick, good balance, strong lower body, always goes forward. He’s like an unassuming 120-yard rusher.”
ESPN’s full top 10 at the position is as follows:
- Nick Chubb – Cleveland Browns
- Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
- Josh Jacobs – Las Vegas Raiders
- Saquon Barkley – New York Giants
- Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans
- Jonathan Taylor – Indianapolis Colts
- Alvin Kamara – New Orleans Saints
- Dalvin Cook – Free agent
- Tony Pollard – Dallas Cowboys
- Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers
Aaron Jones is a snub here, but overall this is not too far off from our own top-10 RB rankings. The big exception is Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson, who were are going out on a limb for (very brave) by projecting he’ll be a top-five back in his first season.
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