{"id":789309,"date":"2026-03-03T15:42:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/789309\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T15:42:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T15:42:37","slug":"kenneth-walker-best-fits-seahawks-giants-among-top-landing-spots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/789309\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenneth Walker best fits: Seahawks, Giants among top landing spots"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kenneth Walker<\/a> was the Seattle Seahawks<\/a>‘ outstanding lead running back, a top performer at his position during the 2025 season and the reigning Super Bowl MVP<\/a>. And in just over a week, he’ll be a free agent.<\/p>\n

The Seahawks<\/a> have until March 9 \u2013 the start of the NFL’s “legal tampering” negotiation period for pending free agents<\/a> \u2013 to work out a deal<\/a> with their top running back. Otherwise, he’ll be free to speak with 31 other teams about taking his talents elsewhere.<\/p>\n

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In 2025, Walker showed off just how far those talents could get him. For the first time in his four-year career, Walker played every game in a season and started each one. He tallied more than 1,000 rushing yards (1,027, to be exact) for the second time in his pro career, scored five touchdowns and tacked on an additional 282 receiving yards for good measure.<\/p>\n

NFL NEWS, TAKES, FANTASY ADVICE: USA TODAY Sports has you covered with our NFL vodcast<\/a><\/p>\n

Once the postseason began, Walker took on a role as a true workhorse for the Seahawks’ offense. He put up more than 100 scrimmage yards in Seattle’s first two playoff games before earning the Super Bowl MVP for his 135 yards on 27 carries \u2013 the second-most in a game in his career and an average of exactly five yards per attempt.<\/p>\n

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It’s rare that a talent like Walker hits the free agent market, rarer still for a reigning Super Bowl MVP to have a chance to move on, just over one month after his greatest single-game performance.<\/p>\n

All 32 teams should be considering reaching out to try to sign Walker, but these four teams would be his best fits:<\/p>\n

1 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

1. Las Vegas Raiders \u2013 Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

1. Las Vegas Raiders \u2013 Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

2. New York Jets \u2013 OLB\/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

3. Arizona Cardinals \u2013 OLB\/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

4. Tennessee Titans \u2013 RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

5. New York Giants \u2013 LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

6. Cleveland Browns \u2013 OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

7. Washington Commanders \u2013 S Caleb Downs, Ohio State<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

8. New Orleans Saints \u2013 WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

9. Kansas City Chiefs \u2013 OT Spencer Fano, Utah<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

10. Cincinnati Bengals \u2013 DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

11. Miami Dolphins \u2013 CB Mansoor Delane, LSU<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

12. Dallas Cowboys \u2013 CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) \u2013 WR Denzel Boston, Washington<\/p>\n

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14 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

14. Baltimore Ravens \u2013 DL Caleb Banks, Florida<\/p>\n

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15 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers \u2013 TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon<\/p>\n

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16 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) \u2013 WR Makai Lemon, USC<\/p>\n

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17 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

17. Detroit Lions \u2013 OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia<\/p>\n

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18 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

18. Minnesota Vikings \u2013 S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo<\/p>\n

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19 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

19. Carolina Panthers \u2013 DT Peter Woods, Clemson<\/p>\n

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20 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) \u2013 OLB\/DE T.J. Parker, Clemson<\/p>\n

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21 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

21. Pittsburgh Steelers \u2013 WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State<\/p>\n

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22 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

22. Los Angeles Chargers \u2013 G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State<\/p>\n

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23 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

23. Philadelphia Eagles \u2013 DE\/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)<\/p>\n

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24 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) \u2013 WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana<\/p>\n

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25 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

25. Chicago Bears \u2013 S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon<\/p>\n

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26 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

26. Buffalo Bills \u2013 WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

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27 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

27. San Francisco 49ers \u2013 Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah<\/p>\n

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28 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

28. Houston Texans \u2013 Blake Miller, OT, Clemson<\/p>\n

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29 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

29. Los Angeles Rams \u2013 QB Ty Simpson, Alabama<\/p>\n

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30 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

30. Denver Broncos \u2013 WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

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31 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

31. New England Patriots \u2013 DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn<\/p>\n

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32 \/ 32<\/p>\n

NFL mock draft: First-round projection following the scouting combine<\/p>\n

32. Seattle Seahawks \u2013 RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame<\/p>\n

Kenneth Walker best fitsNew York Giants<\/p>\n

The Giants<\/a> had to love what they got from rookie Cam Skattebo in his eight games during the 2025 season. Before an ankle injury sidelined him for the back half of the year, the 2024 fourth-round pick put up 410 yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries despite not starting until Week 4. He showcased his ability to be a bruising kind of running back who consistently fights for extra yardage after contact, while also displaying versatility with his 207 receiving yards and two caught touchdowns.<\/p>\n

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By signing Walker, the Giants wouldn’t just be giving themselves a safety net for Skattebo, in case his injury issues persist, they’d be setting themselves up with among the league’s best 1-2 punches in the backfield. Walker would be something of a “Sonic” to Skattebo’s “Knuckles” in New York’s proposed running back duo.<\/p>\n

The reigning Super Bowl MVP was fourth in the NFL in breakaway percentage (38.8%) during the regular season, per Pro Football Focus, and tied for fifth in missed tackles forced (61). Walker also had 18 runs of 15-plus yards during the 2025 regular season, which was just behind Derrick Henry for third-most such runs in the NFL in 2025.<\/p>\n

New Giants head coach John Harbaugh showed in Baltimore that he’s a fan of offenses that work hard to establish the run game. What better way to do that than to field what could be one of the leagues’ best RB duos in 2026?<\/p>\n

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Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n

One of the biggest glaring issues for the 2025 Kansas City Chiefs was their lack of dynamic playmakers on offense. Outside of wide receiver Rashee Rice, who was suspended the first six games of the 2025 season for his involvement in a high-speed car crash in 2024, the Chiefs did not really have any players who could take over a game alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes.<\/p>\n

Refining Kansas City’s problems even further, one could point more directly to the team’s lack of a strong run game as a reason for its offensive struggles. None of the Chiefs’ running back options \u2013 Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, Brashard Smith, Clyde Edwards-Helaire \u2013 stepped up into a lead back role that would have given head coach Andy Reid any confidence. Hunt, Kansas City’s leading rusher, had 611 yards. Pacheco had 462. And Mahomes had 422, in addition to being second on the team with five rushing scores.<\/p>\n

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The Chiefs still have work to do to get under the cap and retool their roster for 2026 and beyond, so maybe signing the market’s top running back in free agency should be far from a priority. But a player like Walker could be a game-changer for the Chiefs’ offense, especially early in the season, when uncertainty surrounding Mahomes’ health post-knee injury will be at a peak. Once Mahomes returns, the offense, armed with Walker and some projected wide receiver help, would have a chance to start looking a lot more like the version of the late 2010s and early 2020s: dynamic, multi-dimensional and dangerous.<\/p>\n

New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n

After years of mediocrity in the post-Drew Brees era, the Saints<\/a>‘ offense seems to be on the come-up. Head coach Kellen Moore guided New Orleans to a six-win season in his first year as head coach \u2013 one that included a four-game win streak near the end of the year. Quarterback Tyler Shough looked like he could finally be the answer behind center the Saints have been looking for. Wide receiver Chris Olave stayed healthy enough to play in 16 games and earned a second-team All-Pro nod.<\/p>\n

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The most apparent piece missing from the Saints’ offense right now is at running back. Alvin Kamara has been holding down the fort in New Orleans’ backfield for nearly a decade, but the heavy taxation on his legs early in his career seems to be catching up to him entering his age-31 season. Before an MCL sprain in Week 12 cut his season short, Kamara tallied 471 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards, both career-low marks, as was his 3.6 yards per rush attempt and single touchdown in 2025. Yet despite the low production, Kamara still led the Saints in rushing yards and was tied for second among running backs with one rushing touchdown \u2013 only Devin Neal (2) had more.<\/p>\n

Moore’s offense could take another step forward by adding Walker to form a leading trio that also includes Shough and Olave. The former second-round pick will still be 25 for the first half of the 2026 season and would provide New Orleans a worthy successor to Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowler whose best years may be behind him. Walker’s breakaway speed and ability to catch passes out of the backfield would give Moore an extra boost in offensive personnel, allowing him and the Saints to take another leap forward in 2026.<\/p>\n

Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Walker just won the Super Bowl 60 MVP while playing for the Seahawks, capping off a season that was one of his best in the NFL so far. During the playoffs, Walker hit another gear. He tallied over 100 scrimmage yards in each of Seattle’s first two postseason games, including a 116-yard, three-touchdown outing in the divisional round. In Super Bowl 60, he won MVP for a 135-yard outing on 27 carries \u2013 averaging five yards per carry.<\/p>\n

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Seattle does not have a strong contingency plan to replace Walker in the 2026 season. Backup running back Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL during the Seahawks’ divisional round win over the 49ers, putting his 2026 season in jeopardy. Walker is also the top running back option in the free agent class, meaning any replacement the Seahawks might make in the early offseason is likely a downgrade. Finally, the Seahawks have the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to their Super Bowl win, so they’re fully out of the Jeremiyah Love sweepstakes after his outstanding NFL combine performance, barring a trade up.<\/p>\n

Why not run it back with Walker? Seattle has a projected $59 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap, and Walker would remain a key piece of the offense for new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury to work with.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kenneth Walker landing spots: 4 best fits for free agent RB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kenneth Walker was the Seattle Seahawks‘ outstanding lead running back, a top performer at his position during the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":789310,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2081],"tags":[220,2825,184,3285,11193,746,6000,292,750,7,3188,118,110,751,9294,896,55,56,6,1551,499,4000,3866,6746,65786,238,237,261,2635,495,283,12062],"class_list":{"0":"post-789309","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-seattle-seahawks","8":"tag-49ers","9":"tag-alvin-kamara","10":"tag-baltimore","11":"tag-brashard-smith","12":"tag-brees","13":"tag-cam-skattebo","14":"tag-chris-olave","15":"tag-derrick-henry","16":"tag-devin-neal","17":"tag-football","18":"tag-isiah-pacheco","19":"tag-kansas-city","20":"tag-kansas-city-chiefs","21":"tag-kareem-hunt","22":"tag-kenneth-walker","23":"tag-new-orleans","24":"tag-new-orleans-saints","25":"tag-new-york-giants","26":"tag-nfl","27":"tag-offense","28":"tag-patrick-mahomes","29":"tag-rashee-rice","30":"tag-receiving-yards","31":"tag-rushing-yards","32":"tag-scrimmage-yards","33":"tag-seahawks","34":"tag-seattle","35":"tag-seattle-seahawks","36":"tag-seattleseahawks","37":"tag-super-bowl-mvp","38":"tag-tyler-shough","39":"tag-zach-charbonnet"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=789309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/789309\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/789310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=789309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=789309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=789309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}