Eddie Lacy has been one of the more controversial names in football. After consecutive seasons rushing for more than 1000 yards in 2013 and 2014, it certainly looked like the Packers had finally found their answer at the running back position. But his production slowed down, and weight gain in 2015 prevented him from reaching similar heights in the season. Lacy entered 2016 with a much slimmer figure, and averaged 5.1 yards per carry prior to an injury. Green Bay chose not to re-sign the free agent, and will now look elsewhere for answers. Their loss will be Seattle's gain.
Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks have had a top five defense for the past few seasons that has helped them remain perennially competitive. Their offense, spearheaded by Russell Wilson and a few solid receivers like Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham, is good enough to come up with victories. Last season, Seattle's weak rushing attack without Marshawn Lynch was finally exposed.
Lynch was one of the best running backs in Seahawks history, and Thomas Rawls was looking to follow in his footsteps in 2016. Rawls entered 2016 as a potential breakout player, but injuries prevented him from attaining his full potential. Christine Michael was the team's leading rusher with less than 500 yards! Clearly the Seahawks needed to improve at the running back position.
Eddie Lacy.
Lacy is the type of player that will fit in perfectly with the Seahawks. He's a bruising runner who isn't tackled easily, and the same type of athlete that Marshawn Lynch was he played for Seattle. Lacy might not catch a ton of passes out of the backfield, but the Seahawks don't really need that type of player. Instead, they will turn to Lacy as a player who carries the ball a ton and wears down opposing defenses with his pure size and physicality.
With Lacy, the Seahawks shouldn't have too worry too much about their rushing attack. Instead, the attention should be focused on making sure that the offensive line is good enough for both Russell Wilson and the rushing attack. Last year, the Cowboys proved just how far a solid offensive line can take you.
