The Seattle Seahawks could use a few more abled bodies in the backfield with current starter Marshawn Lynch planning to retire this offseason. Undrafted free agent surprise Thomas Rawls burst onto the scene unexpectedly last year while filling in for an injured Lynch. In 13 games, he carried the ball 147 times for 830 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and four touchdowns, but a broken ankle suffered in Week 14 put a premature end to his breakout season.
While Rawls is expected to be fully healthy and ready to go for the 2016 season, the Seahawks would be wise to obtain a solid No. 2. As they found out this year, you can never have too much depth at the position.
"Two running backs who project as mid-round picks and stood out at the combine - San Jose State's Tyler Ervin and Cal's Daniel Lasco - could also potentially fit the role of third-down tailback held last season by Fred Jackson and in the past Robert Turbin," Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times wrote.
Ervin rushed 294 times for 1,601 yards (5.4 YPC) and 13 touchdowns last season while also catching 45 receptions. His 4.41 40-yard dash time was good for the second-fastest among running backs at the scouting combine this year. Lasco was limited to just nine games in 2015, but rushed for 1,115 yards and 12 touchdowns on a 5.3 YPC in 2014. He also caught 33 passes that year. Both ball carriers would be a nice fit for the Seahawks.
"They are two running backs who definitely helped their cause," Rob Rang of CBSSports.com said of Ervin and Lasco's combine performances. "They could be what Seattle is looking for. If you are Seattle you'd like to believe that Thomas Rawls would be your headliner, so you are looking for more of a change-of-pace guy and Lasco and Ervin were both asked to catch the ball a lot. Because of that they could be exactly what Seattle is looking for."
With quarterback Russell Wilson taking more ownership of the offense this past season, adding a pass-catching back to the mix would only help.
