Running Back Depth Chart: Has Christine Michael Risen To The Top For Seattle?

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

Would anyone have expected the Seahawks Christine Michael to enter the 2016 campaign as a viable fantasy selection?  Maybe we weren’t taking him seriously for a week or two, but with Thomas Rawls sidelined he’s taken the bull by the horns and entrenched himself as an important piece of the offense.  How important?  Let’s take a look at the performances from yesterday’s third preseason game and the outlook of the backfield:

Thomas Rawls
Did Not Play

On Wednesday Liz Mathews of 710 ESPN tweeted:

“RB Thomas Rawls will NOT play in tomorrow’s game but Carroll said he has “no hesitation saying he will play in season opener.”

Playing is one thing, but how much and how effective he will be is an unknown.  Rawls is working his way back from a fractured ankle and while he was impressive last season (830 yards, averaging 5.6 YPC) there’s a chance that the injury hinders him.  Once thought of as a potential RB1, there’s a chance he operates more in a timeshare (especially early in the season) and is more of a RB2/FLEX selection at this point.

Christine Michael
7 carries for 58 yards

Once a much hyped player, the 2013 second round selection had seemingly run out of rope in the NFL bouncing between the Cowboys and Seahawks last season and never really finding his footing over his first three seasons.  He’s exploded this preseason, though, taking 24 carries for 157 yards.  That’s an average of 6.5 yards per carry and before we point towards the level of competition, as we often do in the preseason, he’s regularly played with the first team offense (like he did last night).

At the very least he appears primed to operate in a timeshare early in the season and it’s possible that he overtakes Rawls (if he isn’t up-to-speed due to the injury).  As a RB3/4 selection, he’s suddenly well worth the gamble as the potential is there to perform like more than that.  While we’d still select Rawls over him, due to the history, Michael has become an intriguing selection.

C.J. Prosise
4 carries for 23 yards

It’s been an injury plagued first training camp, but this performance last night is extremely important for Prosise.  He possesses the best skills in the passing game, as NFL.com described him prior to the draft by saying:

“Experience as receiver gives him upgraded route ability as running back. Has opportunity to be effective on all three levels as receiver if matchup avails itself.”

He should be the team’s third down back from Day 1 and possesses some under-the-radar potential for those in PPR formats.  He’s hardly a trustworthy option, but if you have room on your bench he’s a player to stash in case Michael falters or Rawls isn’t completely healthy.

Alex Collins
3 carries for 19 yards

Injuries could’ve given him an opportunity, but the fifth round draft pick has clearly fallen behind the crowd and is a complete non-factor at this point.

Sources – ESPN, NFL.com