A year after averaging 34.7 pass attempts per game, the Seahawks now average over 10 less (24.3) under new Seahawks OC Brian Schottenheimer. The former Jets OC has a run-centric history, and has certainly kept true on his promise to “emphasize the run game,” as the ‘Hawks currently rank just 29th in the league in throws. Amidst this switch, Russell Wilson hasn’t topped 300 yards, and has been held under 20 FPs all but once while tanking to the QB20. Meanwhile, Doug Baldwin has netted 7.2 FPs on the year, and drew just 1 target the entire game. He’s currently a complete non factor, and needs to be benched until he regains a consistent role.
In contrast, RB Chris Carson topped 100 yards and 19 FPs for the second straight active week, while Mike Davis also impressed with 68 and a score. In a near even split (Carson 20 touches, Davis 14), both backs are flex factors in positive game scripts.
Who could’ve seen this coming?! Well, in labeling Wilson my “Overpriced QB” in our Draft Guide, I wrote:
“Also working against Wilson is his team’s desire to return to their run-heavy roots. As explained by beat writer Bob Condotta, “What Carroll would like is to get the pass-to-run percentage more where it was in 2013 or 2014 (47.29 and 48.56 respectively) than where it was last year (59.38).”
Wilson finished as the QB8 and QB9 in each of those seasons — nothing awful, but nothing worth a Top 50 selection, especially at such a deep position… I’d much rather wait 5-6 Rounds and pair up the floor of Philip Rivers and ceiling of Patrick Mahomes, all while being afforded an extra 5 or so RB and WR stabs in the process.”
Thus far, the Seahawks are even more run-heavy than I imagined. They need to protect their abysmal pass-defense, and right now Davis and Carson are allowing this to happen. At some point, these defensive woes will catch up and Wilson will need to chuck. But for now, all Seahawks should be benched outside of the backfield.
