The Seattle Seahawks’ backfield keeps taking hits. After letting Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency, they were counting on a backfield tandem of Zach Charbonnet and rookie Jadarian Price. Charbonnet, recovering from a torn ACL, began the season on the PUP list. Now the rookie finds himself on IR with a chest injury. With the backfield running thin, Seattle dipped into the free agent pool, signing Joe Mixon off the street.
With fantasy football waiver decisions starting tomorrow, should we consider Mixon a priority pickup?
Mixon, 30, last played for the Houston Texans in 2024. He recorded 245 carries for 1,016 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and added 36 catches for 309 yards. It was a bit of a decline for the veteran since after finishing in the top 10 in PPR scoring in previous seasons, he dropped to 17th as his efficiency waned. While the early-career explosiveness is gone, the veteran still provided a steady and available hand, and the Seahawks are looking for any port in a storm.
It’s easy to argue that Mixon brings the most name recognition to this Seahawks backfield. But despite the injuries, the backfield is a bit more crowded than expected. With both Charbonnet and Price sidelined, Emanuel Wilson took control of the backfield. The veteran picked up 21 carries for 81 yards in Sunday’s win over the Chargers while adding three catches for 39 yards. George Holani took a back seat, running seven times for 18 yards and adding one catch. Wilson, who clearly has some trust from the coaching staff, is Mixon’s immediate competition for touches.
It’s also important to consider Charbonnet and Price’s returns. Charbonnet is eligible to return next week against the 49ers and has returned to practice, but head coach Mike Macdonald has reiterated that Charbonnet needs one extra week to get back up to speed. Price’s IR stint is expected to be a minimum stay, keeping him out for three more weeks. The window for the backups to step to the front of the line is closing fast.
Even if Mixon steps into the starting role next week, he faces a tough matchup against San Francisco and Charbonnet likely returns the following week. The prospects aren’t good for Mixon in the short or the long term unless everyone around him gets hurt, and he’s no spring chicken himself. I’d throw a little waiver-wire money at him, but someone else will likely outbid you based on his name value.
