Will the Seahawks Keep 5 Running Backs or Brandon Marshall?
ESPN released their official prediction for the Seattle Seahawks 53 man roster for 2018. They have the Seahawks dropping veteran receiver Brandon Marshall and keeping 5 running backs to start the season. Personally, I think they are very wrong and here is why.
First, the Seahawks main weapon is the combination of Wilson to Baldwin. This year Doug Baldwin is suffering from a knee injury that he himself said will not fully heal this season. In his last press conference Baldwin describes himself as 80-85 percent and that his knee will not get better all year.
ESPN has Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Jaron Brown, David Moore, Amara Darboh making the team in 2018. They say that Brandon Marshall is "34 and coming off a pair of surgeries". They think the Seahawks could pick him up in a few weeks not having to pay is $1.015 million guaranteed salary. I think that paying $1.015 million for Marshall is a steal and he will be snatched up quickly if the Seahawks cut him.
With Baldwin's injury and potential for getting much worse through the season instead of better, I think the Seahawks HAVE to keep Marshall. They need a veteran presence that can demand double coverage from opposing defenses, and Marshall is their best, cheapest option. I feel Marshall has proven himself very valuable considering he has limited targets this preseason. The few chances he has gotten, he has not wasted.
If the Seahawks keep Marshall, it is likely they will only keep 4 of the current 5 running backs. I think the Seahawks should part ways with Prosise after multiple years of not producing. He was supposed to "show up" against the Vikings and was basically invisible with only 7 carries for only 30 yards all preseason. The back-up QB Alex McGough has 6 carries for 28 yards this preseason, if that puts in perspective for you. He is obviously the least effective back we have had the last few years and has shown no signs of awakening.
If the Seahawks are smart, they will release Prosise and keep Brandon Marshall as a weapon for Russell Wilson.