Seahawks add Auburn product Justin Jones to bolster rushing depth

The Seattle Seahawks added running back depth on Saturday by signing undrafted rookie Justin Jones, according to the team’s official announcement. The move comes as the Seahawks continue building out position groups for the preseason stretch and the team’s in-stadium Football Fest event at Lumen Field.

Jones was brought in as a rookie after playing college football at Auburn. For NFL teams, undrafted players often enter training camp on a short runway, where a limited set of practice reps and special-teams opportunities can determine whether they earn a longer look. In that context, Seattle’s decision to add another back to the mix underscores a practical need during the early sorting process of roster building.

The timing also matters. With Seahawks Football Fest scheduled for Saturday at Lumen Field, the signing places Jones on the organization’s active summer radar immediately ahead of a public-facing moment for the team. Football Fest is typically used to set the tone for the preseason phase, and depth-chart moves made right before such events can offer coaching staffs a clearer evaluation picture on how new players fit.

Running back rotation is often one of the most fluid parts of a camp roster. Teams look for different skill sets, including between-the-tackles power, outside speed, and pass protection reliability. A late-arriving rookie can challenge incumbents for reps and force clearer decisions about who offers the best balance in each role as practices progress.

Seattle’s announcement positions Jones as a straightforward addition to the club’s rushing group. Beyond the signing itself, the team’s release does not provide additional specifics in the material available here, such as contractual terms, spring workload, or a projected role within the backfield.

For Auburn, Jones’ path to the NFL reflects a common route for players who produce at the college level but must translate that production to a faster, more specialized professional environment. If Jones can separate in the areas coaches prioritize, his immediate presence in Seattle’s offseason process could become the first step toward an expanded role later in the summer.

What to watch next is how the Seahawks deploy their backfield in the days following the signing, including whether Jones is used as a depth option in run-heavy situations, targeted for special-teams work, or worked into individual drills that highlight his ability to pass protect and secure the football.

Even with a new contract in place, undrafted rookies generally have to earn their way onto the more stable parts of the roster. The Seahawks’ latest transaction therefore reads as both a roster-management move for Saturday’s Football Fest window and a longer-term evaluation step for Jones as he tries to make the transition from college to the NFL level.