As Zach Charbonnet remains without a clear timetable to return from injury and reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is now in Kansas City, the Seattle Seahawks are left with a significant void in their backfield. However, with the NFL Draft approaching, the team is projected to select a standout runner out of Wake Forest to address the major need at RB.
Seahawks Are Predicted To Draft Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne
On Wednesday, April 1, PFSN analyst Jacob Infante published his 2026 NFL Mock Draft, outlining selections for each of the first three rounds. Notably, at pick No. 96, Infante projects the reigning Super Bowl champions to select Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne to replace Walker.
Infante wrote: “He’s a smaller running back, but Demond Claiborne is one of the most electric runners in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s a twitchy athlete who changes direction well, has impressive breakaway speed, and has the patience to let the play develop in front of him before exploding through an open running lane.”
Over his final two collegiate seasons with the Demon Deacons, Claiborne was as consistent as they come. In 2024, he handled 228 carries for 1,049 rushing yards (4.6 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. He also hauled in 23 passes for 254 receiving yards and an additional two scores.
He provided more of the same in 2025, carrying the ball 179 times for 907 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. The senior added 28 receptions for 140 yards through the air as well. According to PFSN’s RB Impact Metrics, the career 30-TD back recorded a 75.9 RB Impact Score, earning a C grade for the season.
Additionally, per PFSN’s NFL Draft HQ, Claiborne was given an 81.62 prospect grade, ranking seventh among RBs and 129th overall. He particularly impressed during this year’s NFL Draft Combine, logging a 4.37-second 40-yard dash.
A Look at the Seahawks’ Running Back Room After Losing Kenneth Walker III
The Seahawks’ current running back room, led by Charbonnet, also includes recent free agent addition and former Packer Emanuel Wilson, along with third-year runner George Holani and 2023 seventh-round pick Kenny McIntosh.
Outside of Charbonnet, Wilson is the only back with meaningful experience. In 2025, he posted a 52.0 Impact Score, ranking 40th among NFL running backs. Simply put, Seattle is in desperate need of talent and production at the position.
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As per PFSN’s scouting report, Claiborne is “incredibly explosive working upfield, but he also has elite lateral mobility and offsetting ability on the horizontal plane, as well as size-defying contact balance churning through arm tackles.”
If, and hopefully when, Charbonnet returns, he and Claiborne would make an excellent one-two punch in Seattle’s backfield. All things considered, with Sam Darnold, a revamped RB room, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and arguably the league’s best defense, the Seahawks will undoubtedly return to contention in 2026.
