For the third year in a row, running back Kenneth Walker led the Seattle Seahawks in touches during the 2024 season. But on Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder proposed a scenario where Walker wouldn’t get any touches for the Seahawks in 2025.
In an article where he named one potential trade each NFL team should consider before the regular season, Holder argued the Seahawks should “flip” Walker for draft picks.
“Walker is entering a contract year and has had declining production since his rookie season,” Holder wrote. “Meanwhile, Zach Charbonnet was more efficient in 2024, averaging half a yard more per carry than Walker. Also, Damien Martinez has the makings of being a steal as a seventh-round pick.
“The Seahawks might want to see how the running backs look in training camp before being completely comfortable making a move. But, especially if he doesn’t have a future with the club, getting something for the 2022 second-round pick wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Walker rushed for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2022. But he had 905 rushing yards during 2023 and then just 573 yards on the ground last season.
While his carries have dropped each season, Walker has also seen his yards per attempt average decline the past two years.
Walker is currently set to be an unrestricted free agent after 2025.
How Seahawks Could Replace RB Kenneth Walker
Even though Walker has seen a decline in production, he still led Seattle with 199 touches in 2024. Walker was first for the Seahawks in touches despite playing only 11 games.
Clearly, he’s a big part of the team’s offense. That’s such the case that it’s difficult to see the Seahawks willing to part with the fourth-year running back.
But if Seattle has already decided Walker won’t be back in 2026, then trading him for draft picks would be in the organization’s best interest over the long run.
The Seahawks have another second-round pick they can use to replace Walker. Seattle drafted running back Zach Charbonnet at No. 52 overall in the 2023 Draft. During 2024, Charbonnet ran for 569 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per rush.
Kenny McIntosh and Damien Martinez are also on Seattle’s running back depth chart. Holder sees Martinez as having a role on offense this fall despite being a 2025 seventh-round draft pick.
Last season, McIntosh ran for 172 yards on 31 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per rush.
Could Walker Bounce Back for Seahawks?
Walker’s production is heading in the wrong direction. Playing fewer games in 2024 also wasn’t the only reason the running back had less production, as his averages also dropped.
However, it’s not inconceivable to expect Walker to bounce back during his fourth season.
While down, Walker’s 2023 production wasn’t that far off what he accomplished as a rookie. Then last season, the running back dealt with three separate injuries. Each injury caused him to miss two games and could have impacted his play when on the field.
That could be more than enough to make the Seahawks pause on giving up Walker for draft picks before the 2025 season begins.
Holder proposed Seattle wait until training camp to ensure the team likes what it has at running back before parting with Walker. Another more prudent strategy would be to wait until the NFL trade deadline.
By then, the Seahawks will likely know if they will be contending this season. If they aren’t, they could offload Walker to the highest bidder for extra draft capital.
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