In prior years, the Seahawks tried to find the next Marshawn Lynch by investing draft picks in guys like Robert Turbin (fourth round 2012) and Christine Michael (second round 2013). They finally may have discovered Beast Mode Jr. in the bargain basement after the 2015 draft.
Thomas Rawls, undrafted from Central Michigan, stepped in and stepped up on Sunday, gaining 104 yards on 16 carries. Receiver Doug Baldwin wasn’t surprised.
“That kid has been busting his tail since the beginning of camp, even in OTAs” Baldwin told reporters on Tuesday. “So I’m not surprised, and extremely happy for his success because he earned it.”
Baldwin noticed Rawls in the third week of Organized Team Activities. “He knew the playbook,” Baldwin said, “and he was asking all the right questions. You always want a rookie to ask questions, but it’s a different level when they ask the right questions, so that’s what stood out to me.”
Baldwin said Rawls fits with the offense because he’s a power runner and an agile speed runner. But that doesn’t mean Baldwin is ready to see the Seahawks try to get it done without Lynch on the field.
“I think we have talent that could take the torch if we needed to,” Baldwin said. “However, it would take a while, the transition would be difficult. I would just say I don’t what to see that happen any time soon.”
If the transition happens out of necessity with Lynch injured, the Seahawks could decide come 2016 that Lynch is a luxury they no longer can afford.