Seahawks 3rd RB battle: Holani, Wright, Martinez, Anthony Tyus III, Pass Protection
There were high hopes for 2022 Georgia National Champion Kenny McIntosh entering this season before he tore his ACL in training camp last week. Although he'll miss the 2025 season now, he still has potential in 2026 and beyond.
Fullback Robbie Ouzts - the Seahawks 5th Round pick out of 2025 National Champion runner up Notre Dame - looked awesome in the preseason opener and is a lock for a roster spot and immediate role in this offense moving forward.
That leaves George Holani, Damien Martinez, Jacardia Wright, and Anthony Tyus III fighting for the 3rd-4th string active roster spots. Here's how I see them in the position battle so far:
George Holani
George Holani managed to stick around in the position battle last offseason to earn a practice squad spot as an undrafted free agent out of Boise State. He was activated on December 26, 2024 when Walker went down and was on the 53-man to close the season out. He had an awesome preseason opener to the tune of 61 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries (good for 8.7 yards per carry). He looks the most ready to lead the backfield tomorrow in case of emergency to the top two backs.
Jacardia Wright
I wanted to talk about Jacardia Wright second purely on the fact that he got going in the first game and I want to give credit where it's due. He earned himself 7 carries by getting to 34 yards (4.9 ypc) and even had a few big runs called back due to holding. As an undrafted free agent out of Missouri State, he's a longshot to make the 53-man roster in Week 1 because he's easier to move to the practice squad than a Martinez or Holani, but he looks like a perfect RB4/5 who's getting comfortable in the system- to be brought up by an NFL team at some point this season, like Holani did last year.
Damien Martinez
Damien Martinez was a 7th Round pick this season, but similar to Kenny McIntosh, seemed to have 2nd to 3rd Round potential at points in college. He couldn't get going in the preseason opener with just 10 yards on 6 carries but had three seasons averaging 6.3 ypc or more in college between Oregon State and Miami. He was regarded as one of the top backs in the country with the Beavers and 247Sports ranked him as the number 2 running back in the transfer portal behind only Quinshon Judkins before he signed with the Hurricanes. Clint Brewster ranked him as a 4-star recruit which projects as a Round 2-3 NFL pick, and he had his best year yet at the U- but off-field issues caused him to slide in a loaded draft class this year, and the Seahawks ended up with a rare level of talent in Martinez at the 223rd pick. Field Gulls' Alexandre Castro wrote an awesome deep dive analyzing why his pick fits the Seahawks and how he can deliver so much value. Although he didn't get going in the opener, he ticks all the boxes as an NFL rusher.
Anthony Tyus III
Anthony Tyus III is an undrafted rookie from the Ohio Bobcats who the Seahawks picked up just last week. He rushed for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and being named to the All-MAC Second Team. Since Tyus is less of a known commodity, it's hard to predict how he would make a big enough impression to beat out other backs in the next two preseason games, but he'd be another practice squad candidate if he can stand out in some way.
Pass Protection
I had to save the most important aspect of the 3rd running back battle for last- pass protection. Yes, it gets its own heading! Because it's one thing Walker and Charbonnet don't do at an elite level that this team needs at this spot.
While great rushers go unsigned regularly, great pass protectors like Travis Homer always get paid. This might be the true key to being the third back. And it just so happens that Damien Martinez could be the personal bodyguard Sam Darnold needs.
Just watch this video of him Corbin K. Smith Tweeted two weeks ago and you'll be amped up:
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