The Seattle Seahawks are in a precarious position at running back heading into the 2026 campaign.

The reigning Super Bowl champions saw Kenneth Walker depart in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs and will be without Zack Charbonnet for most (or all) of the season after he injured his knee in the team's first playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Through two days of free agency, the Seahawks have not signed another running back to help fill the gaps, meaning they'll likely wait for a cheaper option to emerge as free agency goes on, or they'll turn to the NFL Draft. Or maybe both.

And if they do look to the draft, could University of Washington standout Jonah Coleman be a fit for them? It's possible, and it would undoubtedly make a lot of Seattle fans happy. 

A four-year standout at Arizona and Washington, he played in 50 games, amassing more than 3,000 yards rushing (3,054) and 34 touchdowns. His 15 rushing touchdowns last season helped Washington to a 9-4 record and a win in the LA Bowl. He also had two receiving touchdowns in 2025, and his 17 total scores led the Big Ten.

He had 31 catches as well, setting a new career-high and continuing to improve that part of his game. Coleman also drew praise at the NFL Combine for his impressive answer on the importance of pass blocking.

"You're not going to play if you can't pass pro. Can't play if you ain't going to protect the quarterback. I'm paying him $100 million and you getting paid $2 million. Who's more important? And that's part of being selfless. You have to be wanting to pick up pass pro... There's no technique. There's technique, but at the end of the day, it's a dog fight... You have to bring that mentality in there that I'm going to kick your butt and protect my $100 million quarterback."

He was a major figure in Washington's transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten in 2024, and he followed head coach Jedd Fisch to Washington after he also left Arizona.

The numbers game, clearly. The team is set to be down two running backs from where it was in 2025, though George Holani is still on the roster and Kenny McIntosh will be back from a torn ACL.

Coleman is not known as a speed back, but he could help fill the Charbonnet role on the goal line and in pass protection. His ability out of the backfield could also make him an attractive option for quarterback Sam Darnold.

The Seahawks only have four draft picks, so it is really wise for them to use one on a running back, especially one who is projected to be taken relatively early like Coleman? ESPN's Mel Kiper recently graded him as the fifth-best running back in this class.

Pro Football Focus is a fan of his as well.

At just 5-foot-9, his stride length is shorter and limits his overall top gear and breakaway speed, but that stockier build also aids his contact balance. He’s also a good pass catcher and pass protector. The biggest knock on him will be his speed, as both his top speed and acceleration appear to be well below NFL averages.

However, his elite zone-rushing grade over the past two years shows that once he builds momentum, his speed is good enough to find rushing lanes. He is also strong as an ox, evidenced by one career fumble on 672 career touches.

The Seahawks have picks in rounds 1-3 and again in round No. 6. The third-round pick is pick No. 96. Will Coleman even be there then? Would the Seahawks even want to spend a third-round pick on a running back when they have newfound needs at defensive back and on the defensive line?

The Seahawks could trade back and move around the draft to accumulate more picks, which could make a Coleman selection more appetizing. 

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