Looking towards the offensive backfield for the Seattle Seahawks, one gets a sense of familiarity and unfamiliarity at the same time. Gone is the dependable workhorse that is Marshawn Lynch, but the new lead back Thomas Rawls is a known commodity. Christine Michael is also known amongst the Seahawks fanbase although we would all be lying if we said we knew whether we've resigned the Michael that we saw last year or the consistently inconsistent back of old. 

So those two are back there, seems solid, let's just sign a couple more to bring into camp and compete for that third spot you might say. Well the Seahawks must not have heard because they wen't out and drafted three running backs last April.

With the lull in action right now around the NFL, one can't help but read too much between the lines. And reading between those lines one might be led to believe that our running game is in dire shape. Rawls was nothing short of impressive last season, but is still recovering from a broken ankle suffered against the Baltimore Ravens. Which begs the question, if he were 100% healthy heading into the offseason, would John and Pete have drafted as many running backs as they did?

Some might say yes, because the running game is not a thing of the past for this organization, and one of the best backs in franchise history just left the team. Some might say yes with the reason being that Rawls' performance was more fluke than skill, and they Hawks are hedging their bets. Some might say yes because we all know how Pete Carroll love competition and simply is bringing in more tailbacks to push Rawls and Michaels.

Nonetheless they did in fact decide to bring in C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins and Zack Brooks.

Of the three, Prosise is the most likely to make the team and compete for significant playing time. A converted wide receiver, he has great ability catching the ball out of the backfield. With that in mind, he would be perfect as a third down back, if he can learn how to pass block. A notable weakness for him, he is widely regarded as a back who has trouble recognizing pass protections.

Prosise did put up great numbers at Notre Dame, but what is troubling is that the Seahawks have failed to draft a competent running back in the Schnieder-Carroll era. Thus, how do we know if he's good enough to help this team get back to the Super Bowl?

Photo: Bleacher Report