(Note: This article has been updated to reflect the news that Fred Jackson has signed with the Seahawks.)
The news came down Friday that running back Fred Jackson and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a one-year contract. The move gives Jackson the opportunity to play for a Super Bowl contender, and the Seahawks a great and needed addition to their backfield.
With Marshawn Lynch, Seattle has arguably the best running back in the NFL – he’s No. 1 in our PFF ratings among RBs entering the 2015 season — running behind arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL. In Buffalo, Jackson ran behind another offensive line that was one of the league’s worst. Jackson has consistently been productive, despite having little help from his line up front.
Yes, he is now 34 years old, but there are signs that he can still be effective this season. He forced 39 missed tackles in 2014, as noted by colleague Sam Monson, and he earned a positive grade both as a runner and as a receiver.
Not only that, but he’d be filling a void for Seattle. While Lynch has been one of the NFL’s most consistent and durable performers at the position, the Seahawks don’t have much to back him up. Christine Michael, Robert Turbin and Thomas Rawls all have negative grades this preseason, and don’t provide any stability if Lynch were to go down with an injury.
It’s tough to say how long Jackson can perform at high level, but based on his past two seasons of above-average play, it’s a safe bet that he could be a reliable backup for Seattle.
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