Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll on Chris Carson: ‘I’m Really Excited About This Guy’

Being one of the last picks of the NFL Draft can be both a blessing and a curse, but it seems to be working out well for former OSU running back Chris Carson.

The rookie tailback entered summer camp with little expectations after being selected 249th overall. Unlike first-rounders Leonard Fournette or Christian McCaffrey, no one expects Carson — the seventh-round pick from OSU — to be the starter from day one. But he has generated enough buzz this offseason that head coach Pete Carroll has taken notice.

“Well, uh, he’s looked pretty good. He’s looked pretty good,” coach Pete Carroll told ESPN. “Last practice, he had an excellent finish to the practice — that last four carries, he was ripping. He had a couple big runs today again.

“I’m really excited about this guy. Really have high hopes for him. We’ll see how he does. We’re just getting started. He’s a very physical runner in the style that we like. You can’t tell all of that here because we’re not finishing the runs with tackling. But I know it’s in his background, and we keep chirping at him, and we’ll see it happen when the time comes. We might have a really competitive guy at that spot.”

Physicality was never an issue with Carson during his two-year tenure in Stillwater. He’s an aggressive runner whose production increased alongside his experience at the Division I level. And it’s his ability to pick up blitz — something that he’s been a natural at even before his arrival at OSU — that could earn him a roster spot in Seattle.

The rookie running back out of Oklahoma State had a great day on Tuesday and followed it up with another strong practice Thursday. Blitz pickup is something that rookies typically struggle with. But that was not the case with Carson.

During one drill early in practice, he got matched up with veteran linebacker Michael Wilhoite on multiple occasions and stoned him. Later during practice, Carson had a big run. [ESPN]

Although the odds to make an NFL roster are long even for a player of Carson’s stature, he’s done well for himself by proving his worth in camp early and often. With Seattle boasting Eddie Lacy, C.J. Prosise and Thomas Rawls as some of its best options at running back, though, Carson will have to fight for a roster spot with rookie Alex Collins and South Carolina alum Mike Davis.