Seahawks' C.J. Prosise: Likely to fill third-down role

Prosise will likely start his career as a pass-catching, third-down back, The Bellingham Herald reports.

Analysis:

Originally recruited as a safety, Prosise played wide receiver for most of his time at Notre Dame, then switched to running back ahead of his senior season. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at 6-0, 220 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, displaying the desired size-speed combination for three-down running backs in the NFL. The Seahawks hope 2015 UDFA Thomas Rawls (ankle/leg) can bounce back from a serious injury to handle most of the early-down work, but if not, Prosise and the bruising Alex Collins (fifth round) provide some insurance. Seattle doesn't have much pass-catching talent at the position, which bodes well for Prosise's chances to enter Week 1 as the passing-down back. The Seattle backfield will bear close watching in training camp, even though Rawls is expected to be ready. In addition to Rawls, Prosise and Collins, the Seahawks will give some reps to Christine Michael and seventh-round rookie Zac Brooks.