The Seattle Seahawks used their first two picks in the 2022 NFL draft to fill their biggest needs on both sides of the ball (outside of quarterback), but they threw their customary curveball with the second of their back-to-back picks in the early second round.
At No. 40 overall, the Seahawks selected Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III, adding yet another dynamic runner to their offensive backfield.
While the Seahawks certainly had more pressing needs elsewhere, it’s easy to see why Walker was high on their draft board. One of the top running back prospects in this year’s class, Walker has all the traits to be a Pro Bowler at the next level.
Walker is coming off a dominant 2021 season for the Spartans, during which he racked up 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. It was Walker’s first year as a full-time starter and featured back, following two seasons as a rotational runner at Wake Forest.
A well-built runner who excels between the tackles, Walker has a stellar combination of vision, patience and instincts, to go along with ideal physicality, pad level and awareness. He’s explosive enough to break off big runs, giving the Seahawks a potential home-run threat in the backfield.
With Chris Carson’s status still unclear, and Rashaad Penny only back on a one-year deal, Walker could quickly establish himself as Seattle’s featured back of the future.
