5 Seahawks fullback candidates

Could Byron Murphy or John Rhys Plumlee be Seahawks fullbacks?

A month ago, I brought up the possibility of the Seahawks adding a fullback this offseason, specifically Patrick Ricard of the Ravens. The hiring of Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator further drives home the idea that Seattle’s offense will feature a position that was all but fading away until recently.

As noted in this excellent Kubiak breakdown by Legion of 12s, Kubiak is a branch off of the Shanahan tree (both Mike and Kyle, as well as his dad Gary) and that means: FULLBACK.

The Saints used Adam Prentice regularly at fullback throughout the season (here is springing Alvin Kamara for a touchdown against the Cowboys) but New Orleans also have the NFL’s most versatile offensive weapon in Taysom Hill, who you will see in that role as well.

These 5 players could be used in the fullback role in 2025.

WR John Rhys-Plumlee

The Taysom Hill of the group, I just happened to write about Rhys-Plumlee as a possibility before last year’s draft because of Seattle’s interest in him and then he found his way to the Seahawks practice squad after detourrs in Pittsburgh and Jacksonville. The college quarterback is now playing receiver but anyone who can stand in the backfield and be a triple threat (Run-Pass-Receive) is someone good for a consideration as the “Taysom” of the offense.

Make that a quadruple threat if Plumlee can block.

Plumlee’s 4.54 speed is good at the running back position, but is 200-205 lbs too light for it? Kyle Juszczyk comes in at 235, while Patrick Ricard tips the scales at a whopping 300+ so this might not be the right role for him.

WR Jake Bobo

While hope for Bobo being one of Seattle’s starting receivers isn’t totally lost, it’s telling that Mike Macdonald didn’t feel comfortable enough to give Bobo an increased role in 2024. Maybe that was more of a Ryan Grubb decision, who knows, but Bobo caught just five passes in the Seahawks last 11 games (5 games with a catch, 6 games without a catch, never more than one target in ANY of those games).

We have seen Bobo rush for a touchdown in 2023 and his lack of NFL speed is maybe one reason to stick the 6’4 hustler* in the backfield next season. Legion of 12s specifically mentions Bobo in the video and I can see why. However, Bobo’s not much bigger than Plumlee, if at all.

*some players are called weapons, but maybe others deserve the title of “hustlers” for giving 100% on every opportunity

TE Brady Russell

At 6’3, 250, Russell would be another option and one who checks in at the right weight. Saints fullback Adam Prentice is listed at 245 and Russell’s 4.75 40-yard dash is about a tenth-of-a-second faster than Prentice’s.

Players like Russell and Bobo are awesome to have on special teams, but either would significantly increase their value to the team if they could stand in the backfield. If the Seahawks hold onto Noah Fant — or just replace him with a different starter — Russell (who doesn’t have a catch in two seasons) is going to be buried on the depth chart behind at least two players again.

Fullback could give him a shot to see the field on offense.

DT Byron Murphy II

It’s regularly mentioned in the comments — and by the player himself — that there’s a desire to see Seattle’s 2024 first round pick line up on offense as a fullback. Murphy says it’s been talked about internally as well:

“I ain’t did it yet, but I want to,” Murphy said. “We’ve been talking about it. Some of my guys on the D-line (have said) ‘Murph, man, they need to put you at fullback.’ I’m willing to take the opportunity. I’m getting in there. I’m gonna punch it in. If the opportunity presents itself, it’s gonna be a touchdown.”

If you recall last month’s article on the tush push, it was originally conceived by linebacker Anthony Barr as a player that would just feature one of the team’s heaviest players (probably a d-tackle) getting behind the QB to push. Or Murphy could just carry the ball himself.

Murphy played running back in high school and got some goal-line snaps at the University of Texas, including two touchdowns himself.

A sixth option that I haven’t mentioned here is Jalen Sundell, who has already had some plays drawn up for him as a fullback.

Murphy checks in at a Ricard-like weight of 297, while Sundell is listed at 301. If Sundell doesn’t win a starting offensive line job, he could help increase his odds of making the tema in 2025 by working on his craft as a fullback.

FB Patrick Ricard (Ravens free agent)

It’s all but certain that the Ravens will re-sign Ricard. GM Eric DeCosta hasn’t hid his affection for Ricard, calling him the best fullback in the league (which is probably true at this point) and Ricard wants to retire with the Ravens.

But, ya know, sometimes shit happens.

Juszczyk sets the mark at the position with an annual salary of $4.55 million, while Ricard’s coming off of a deal that paid him $3.75 million per year. If Ricard wants to be the first fullback in NFL history to make $5 million per season (probably a two-year, $10 or a three-year, $15) maybe that would make the Ravens think twice?

Maybe it should make the Seahawks think twice if they talk to Ricard.

But Macdonald knows Ricard as well as anyone not in Baltimore, so he’d be a sensible connection to make if the Ravens let him hit free agency.

Seaside Joe 2126