Seahawks Predicted to Cut Ties With Rookie RB After 3,000-Yard Career

The Seattle Seahawks have the top of their backfield depth chart set, with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet returning to lead the rushing attack.

But the bottom of the depth chart could be a bit more unclear, with one insider predicting the team will part ways with a rookie running back coming off a strong collegiate career. The Seahawks drafted former Oregon State and Miami running back Damien Martinez in the seventh round, but reporter Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times believes he will end up on the wrong side of the roster bubble at the end of the summer.

Seahawks Face Tough Decision for the Backfield

Condotta noted that Walker is set to return as the team’s top running back despite missing time in OTAs and minicamp with an ankle injury. Charbonnet will return as the No. 2 with Kenny McIntosh earning a spot over Martinez.

As Condotta wrote, McIntosh’s versatility on special teams could give him the nod over the rookie.

“McIntosh’s experience as a kickoff returner would for seem to give him the nod over Damien Martinez for the third spot, though the Seahawks would undoubtedly keep Martinez on the 16-man practice squad that can be assembled after cuts are made,” Condotta wrote.

Martinez rushed for 3,169 yards and 26 touchdowns over three college seasons, adding 391 receiving yards.

The Seahawks made some major changes on offense, parting ways with veteran quarterback Geno Smith and signing Sam Darnold to take his place. Darnold is coming off a career-best season with the Minnesota Vikings, but fell off at the end of the season as the team stumbled to a first-round playoff exit.

The Seahawks also moved a big piece of their offense, trading DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Seahawks Rookie Earned Big Buzz

It could be difficult for the Seahawks to get Martinez through to the practice squad. He comes to the team with some growing hype, with ESPN reporter Louis Riddick naming Martinez to the list of his favorite prospects outside the first round of the NFL draft.

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein noted that Martinez excelled in college as a power running back.