(Getty)
There’s a new Beast Mode in town.
Eddie Lacy is trading in his cheese for fish, as the former Alabama standout and Packers starter has signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Eddie Lacy’s deal in Seattle: 1 year, $5.55M with $3M fully guaranteed, per source.
Once considered one of the NFL’s elite rushers, concerns about his conditioning and durability have followed Lacy throughout his four professional seasons. Lacy played only five games for the Packers in 2016, and was placed on injured reserve in October after undergoing ankle surgery.
Lacy will get a fresh start in Seattle, who had difficulty keeping backs on the field in 2016. Seattle’s leading rusher last year was Christine Michael, who played the first nine games there before finishing the season as Lacy’s replacement in Green Bay. The projected starter for Pete Carroll’s offense was Thomas Rawls, who battled injuries throughout the entire season.
In Seattle, Lacy steps into an offense that, much like the Packers, can fully function without him. The scheme revolves around Russell Wilson, and Lacy will likely feature as a short-yardage option until he can prove he has every-down value. Outside of Marshawn Lynch the Seahawks have preferred smaller, quicker backs under Carroll, but Lacy has proved he can be an effective receiver as well. Seattle finished 25th in rush yards per game last season, so another healthy back on the roster can only be an improvement.
If Lacy can get up to 200 carries in Seattle like he did in his first two seasons, he could go back to top-tier fantasy status. But as frustrated Lacy owners will tell you, we need to see it in action before his value changes.
Projection: Lacy will be drafted in the first five rounds of a 10-team league. If healthy, Lacy will finish in the top ten among fantasy running backs.