Walker Seahawks: The Dynamic Duo Powering Seattle’s Run Game

When the Seattle Seahawks invested two second-round picks in running backs in 2022 and 2023, it sparked debate. Many questioned the value of using early draft capital on a position increasingly seen as replaceable. Initial results were mixed, with both Ken Walker and Zach Charbonnet showing flashes but failing to elevate the Seahawks’ rushing attack, which ranked 28th in the league in both 2023 and 2024.

However, 2025 has been a different story. While not the most efficient, Seattle now boasts the 10th-ranked rushing offense and has evolved into a run-first team that controls the clock and wears down opponents. At the heart of this transformation are Walker and Charbonnet.

The Rise of Walker and Charbonnet

Pro Football Focus (PFF) is high on both players, ranking Walker second and Charbonnet third among all running backs in overall offensive grade. Walker, in particular, excels in PFF’s advanced metrics, leading the NFL in missed tackles forced per carry and boasting an impressive rate of runs gaining 10+ yards.

Looking at the raw numbers, Walker delivered a stellar 1,300 yards from scrimmage on 5.2 yards per touch, while Charbonnet contributed a remarkable twelve rushing touchdowns. This is the kind of one-two punch teams dream of.

A Historical Perspective: Seahawks’ Great Running Back Duos

In fact, many would argue that Walker and Charbonnet form the best running back duo in Seahawks franchise history. Let’s take a look back at some of the other notable pairings:

• 1978: Sherman Smith and David Sims – Smith rushed for nearly 1,200 yards at over 6 yards per touch, while Sims led the league with 15 touchdowns (though Sims was a fullback).
• 1979: Sherman Smith and Dan Doornink – Combined for over 2,206 yards and 24 touchdowns.
• 1986-1988: Curt Warner and John Williams – A consistently productive duo, peaking in 1988 with over 2,700 combined yards and 19 touchdowns.
• 1990: Derrick Fenner and John Williams – Fenner emerged as a strong complement to Williams, contributing 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.
• Late 90s/Early 2000s: Chris Warren and Shaun Alexander – Neither found a consistent high-usage partner.
• 2010s: Marshawn Lynch – Lacked a consistent complementary back.
• Recent Years: Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny – A tantalizing pairing cut short by injuries. Carson showed immense promise before injuries derailed his career, and Penny displayed explosive efficiency but couldn’t stay healthy for a full season.

The Carson-Penny duo was a real “what if” scenario for Seahawks fans. Now, in 2025, with Walker and Charbonnet, Seattle finally seems to be experiencing the potential that pairing hinted at – and doing so with better health.

This dynamic duo arrives at a crucial time, as the Seahawks aim for a Super Bowl run.

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Brendon Nelson has been a passionate Seattle Seahawks fan since 1996, and began covering the team and the NFL at large on YouTube in 2007. His work is focused on trending topics, data and analytics. Brendon graduated from the University of Washington-Tacoma in 2011 and lives in Lakewood, WA.