Seattle Seahawks

Michael listed as starting RB over Rawls on Seahawks depth chart

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Running back Christine Michael has been listed ahead of Thomas Rawls on the first unofficial depth chart released by the Seattle Seahawks.

It’s been years since we’ve had a Seahawks running back controversy, but it seems we finally have one. In the first unofficial depth chart released by the team, Christine Michael is listed as the starting running back over Thomas Rawls:

Here's the Seahawks first official "unofficial'' depth chart of the year: pic.twitter.com/POqBR8pCxB

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) September 6, 2016

Though the Seahawks backfield was projected to be a competitive one, this comes as a bit of surprise given the success Rawls had at the end of 2015. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 147 attempts last season, a stat that you would assume would make him the starter entering 2016.

It’s important to keep in mind that Rawls is coming off a broken ankle which he suffered at the end of 2015. According to head coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks are trying not to rush Rawls and that he should be ready to start “in the next couple weeks:”

Pete Carroll: Seahawks won't rush Thomas Rawls backhttps://t.co/kyKUAUmJpq

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 6, 2016

What a strange situation it must be for Seattle fans given how solid the running back position has been the last couple years with Marshawn Lynch. With Lynch’s retirement, it was all but guaranteed that Rawls would have an easy time regaining the starting job for the upcoming season.

Once he’s back to full speed, I expect the Seahawks to give Rawls an opportunity to take the job back, but Michael has been impressive. In the first three preseason games, Michael averaged 6.5 yards per carry, a gaudy number. He now has every opportunity in the world to run away with the job if he has a great showing Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins.

From what started as Thomas Rawls’ job to lose, it has now quickly become Christine Michael’s to gain. Fantasy footballers, you can now go and scramble for Michael if he’s available in your league.