They traded for Rashid Shaheed primarily to equip quarterback Sam Darnold with a bona fide deep threat and help star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba see less double coverage, but the newcomer is also tipped to help the Seattle Seahawks solve their biggest weakness.
Former New Orleans Saints wideout Shaheed “could also help Seattle’s run game,” according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson. The latter explained how the Seahawks’ ground attack “has slogged its way to 3.7 yards per carry — second worst in the NFL — in part because of a steady stream of loaded boxes. As Kubiak has favored heavier personnel packages that feature two tight ends and/or two running backs, defenses have kept an extra defender near the line of scrimmage. But they may be more inclined move a safety into the back end out of respect for Shaheed’s speed.”
Shaheed’s role in helping the Seahawks get on track on the ground is clear. His natural talent as a speedster able to take the top off defenses in an instant can ensure Kubiak’s offenses sees less eight-man fronts with safeties loaded into the box.
That’s the boost Kenneth Walker III and Co. need to start pulling their weight for a unit currently overly reliant on Darnold’s arm talent and Smith-Njigba’s spectacular level of production.
Surprise Trade Will Help Seahawks in Multiple Ways
Seahawks general manager John Schneider sending fourth- and fifth-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft to the Saints rated as a surprise, but the deal has wide-ranging upside. The obvious initial benefit will come from Shaheed’s genuine field-stretching speed.
Henderson summed up Shaheed’s excellence in this area by revealing the 27-year-old “has the third-highest air yards per target (13.63) and ranks ninth in yards per catch (14.9). Six of his 12 career touchdowns have been over 50 yards.”
Those numbers will be known to every remaining team on the Seahawks’ schedule. Opponents will also know they can no longer risk playing without safety help deep on early, run-first downs.
Another fringe benefit should be Smith-Njigba being bracketed less often. At the very least, the most prolific pass-catcher in the NFL ought to find more room underneath and over the middle.
They are the areas usually reserved for Cooper Kupp, but the Super Bowl MVP has been sidelined with hamstring and heel problems. Shaheed gives the Seahawks an alternative as another credible No. 2 target for Darnold, one whose skills have been endorsed by a two-time 1,000-yard receiver and former Saints teammate.
Ultimately though, Shaheed’s value might best be measured by how he opens things up for the running game.
Seahawks Must Get More from Running Game
The Kubiak blueprint depends on a running game defenses take seriously. So far, other teams are believing the run-heavy personnel groupings the Seahawks are deploying, but the appearance of a powerhouse rushing capability won’t last if an appearance is all it remains.
What the Seahawks need is for Walker and fellow back Zach Charbonnet to take over games for real. It’s happened only sporadically this season, like when Walker gashed the Pittsburgh Steelers for 105 yards in Week 2, but an average of 59 rushing yards per game, per Pro Football Reference, is not enough for a supposed lead back.
Walker hasn’t always looked comfortable executing the outside zone-stretch runs that are a staple of the Kubiak system. The play-caller has responded by adjusting his rushing schemes, but the changes are yet to yield the production the Seahawks crave.
Perhaps having the threat of Shaheed draw focus from the box to the perimeter can open the extra running lanes Walker and Charbonnet have to exploit.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rashid Shaheed Tipped to Fix Seahawks’ Biggest Weakness appeared first on Heavy Sports.