James Conner rumors: 3 potential landing spots in free agency

2. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks seem set to let Chris Carson leave in free agency, and Rashaad Penny is an automatic question mark based on injury history. Head coach Pete Carroll is bent on remaining a run-oriented operation, despite the team’s three best offensive players being Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. So that means locking down the running back position, via free agency, the draft or some combination.

Due to his ability around the goal line (16 rushing scores inside the 5-yard line over the last three seasons) and underrated pass catching ability (124 receptions over the last three seasons), Conner (if healthy) can fill an every-down role for someone. The Seahawks won’t be able to pay big for someone to replace Carson. But Conner might be willing to take a one or two-year prove-it deal, and Seattle is a nice match based purely on a possible path to a big role.

The question for Seahawks would be essentially trading a fairly injury-prone Carson for a similarly injury-prone Conner. But the cost will probably be lower, and Conner is a more appealing option than a lot of others who’ll be realistically available to Seattle.