NFL Draft 2017: A Look at the Best Pick from Each Round
Seventh Round
Chris Carson, RB, Oklahoma State
Selected No. 249 Overall (Seattle Seahawks: via Atlanta Falcons)
Usually, the best player to come out of the seventh round of an NFL Draft is special teams player or part-time contributor. The most that a team hopes out of a seventh-round pick is a player who they feel confident being a primary backup for their four-year contract. However, the Seattle Seahawks found the heir to Marshawn Lynch and their future starting running back in the seventh round when they drafted Oklahoma State running back Chris Carson.
Even though Seattle drafted Carson in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, they started Carson in three of their first games that season. He also led the team in snaps in all four of Carson’s first four games. That is despite having former Pro Bowler Eddie Lacy and 2016 third-round pick C.J. Prosise active on the roster. Unfortunately, Carson’s rookie season was cut short after his first four games after breaking his ankle. But he averaged 52 rushing yards a game on 9.5 attempts per game.
The following season Carson beat out rookie first-round pick Rashaad Penny for the starting job. He started all 14 games he played for Seattle that season. He rushed for 1,151 yards and nine touchdowns. Carson was fifth in the league in rushing and seventh in the league in rushing touchdowns. It was during the 2018-19 season that Seattle realized that Carson was going to be their replacement for Marshawn Lynch.
In his third season, Carson played a career-high 15 regular-season games. He rushed for a career-high 1,230 yards and seven touchdowns. Carson added to his game during his third season becoming a receiving threat out of the backfield. He caught a career-high 37 receptions on 47 targets for 266 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Carson entered a contract year in 2020 and did not disappoint. Even though Carson only played in 12 games he was extremely efficient. He rushed for 681 yards (56.8 rushing yards per game) and five touchdowns. Carson also caught 37 of the 46 passes that went his way for 287 yards and a career-high four receiving touchdowns. After the season ended he signed a two-year $10.425 million extension with Seattle.
This past season Carson was limited to only four games because of a neck injury he was not able to recover from. Carson rushed 232 yards and three touchdowns on 54 attempts. He also caught all six of his targets for 29 receiving yards.
Injuries have been a major problem for Carson throughout his career. He has not been able to play a full season since entering the league. Carson would be considered one of the better backs if he was able to stay healthy. He has been extremely solid for Seattle and a large part of this offense since entering the league. Carson well exceeded the expectations of a seventh-round pick.
Honorable Mentions: