Seahawks' Kenneth Walker II 'doing everything' during impressive offseason
The Seattle Seahawks were obviously thrilled with Kenneth Walker II's rookie year, but there are some obvious improvements that needed to be made heading into Year 2: catching out of the backfield and pass blocking. Per Pro Football Focus, Walker finished the 2022 season with a receiving grade of 56.0, which was ninth-worst among running […]
The Seattle Seahawks were obviously thrilled with Kenneth Walker II's rookie year, but there are some obvious improvements that needed to be made heading into Year 2: catching out of the backfield and pass blocking.
Per Pro Football Focus, Walker finished the 2022 season with a receiving grade of 56.0, which was ninth-worst among running backs with at least 34 targets (34 qualifying players). His 0.67 yards per route run were second-worst and his pass blocking grade of 32.0 was fourth-worst among qualifying players.
So far, it sounds like everything is in place for Walker to not only improve upon those numbers, but it sounds like he's in line to have another big year, as well.
“Gosh, it's hard really. It would be hard to elaborate on the offseason that he's had," head coach Pete Carroll told reporters Thursday. "He's worked so hard with the receivers. He's worked full speed day after day, after day. His confidence, his explosiveness, his quickness, his ability to run the routes and catch the ball. He's doing everything. He's catching punts. He's catching kickoffs. He's doing everything he can possibly do, and he's having a blast…
"… He's ready to go. He's had as good of an offseason as you could have.”
Walker's issues in the passing game are rather curious. He played wide receiver in high school, but played at Michigan State, which isn't really known for its pass-happy offense.
Maybe the "time off" set Walker back a bit. At the same time, he only had 34 targets last year, which ranked 34th among all NFL running backs. He wasn't given a ton of opportunities last year, either.
Either way, when it comes to catching the ball – there is no confidence lost on his end.
"I can catch the ball. In high school, I was a wide receiver and a running back," said Walker. "And then when I got to college I was in an offense that really didn't throw the ball. They didn't really throw the ball in college. And so, I guess a lot of people around the league or whatever didn't think I could catch, but, you know, Shane (Waldron) and everybody believed in me up here and they've been passing me the ball more.”
And, of course, Walker has the inherent advantage of his familiarity with Waldron's scheme. He's already noticed a big difference from last year to now, which will only aid in his development.
"It's much easier. You know, I know the plays. I know what to expect on offense and in the defense," said Walker. "So it's much easier. My head's not spinning from when I first got here.”
The Seahawks did draft Zach Charbonnet, but this is clearly Walker's backfield. And the Seahawks are going to give him every opportunity to establish his case as one of the league's best backs in 2023.
Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
