Kenneth Walker III

Kenneth Walker III is unlikely to be franchise tagged by the Seattle Seahawks according to multiple reports. There are Super Bowl tax costs for the Seahawks that will make their use of a franchise tag unlikely this offseason.

Fantasy Impact

Walker III, the Super Bowl LX MVP, will enter free agency for the first time in his career after playing out the final year of his rookie contract. Walker III rushed for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season and added 313 yards and four scores during the Seahawks' Super Bowl title run. He became the first running back to win Super Bowl MVP honors since Denver's Terrell Davis in 1997 after running for 135 yards on 27 carries and catching two passes for 26 yards in Seattle's win over the Patriots. This is not unusual for the Seahawks as they have used the franchise tag just twice in 16 seasons under general manager John Schneider. Walker III is likely to be high on Seattle's list to attempt to bring back for a title defense this offseason.

Kenneth Walker III carried the ball 16 times for 97 yards and also caught four passes for 36 yards in the Seahawks' 13-3 win over the 49ers on Saturday night.

Fantasy Impact

Walker III finished the night with nearly as many yards from scrimmage (133) as the entire 49ers offense (173) to help Seattle clinch the top seed in the NFC. His 19-yard run on 3rd-and-17 late in the third quarter led to a Seahawks' field goal and was certainly one of the turning points in the game. Walker III's 133 total yards was his second-highest total of the season and helped him secure his second 1,000-yard season (1,027). Meanwhile, his 1,309 yards from scrimmage established a new career-high.

Kenneth Walker III ran for 51 yards on 15 carries in the Seahawks 27-10 win over the Panthers. He also caught 2-of-2 targets for six yards receiving.

Fantasy Impact

Walker couldn't break off any big plays following his big game in Week 16. It was Zach Charbonnet who ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns as the hot hand. It figures to remain a similar approach heading into Week 18 against the 49ers.

Kenneth Walker was highly efficient during Thursday's overtime victory against the Rams, rushing 11 times for 100 yards and a touchdown while catching all three of his targets for another 64 yards. The performance marked his second 100-yard rushing effort of the season and included a season-high receiving yardage total.

Fantasy Impact

Walker provided a crucial spark early in the second half with a season-long 55-yard touchdown run. He added a season-long 46-yard reception to his tally, significantly outgaining backfield mate Zach Charbonnet despite finishing with just two more carries. The duo is expected to continue their narrow timeshare in Week 17 against the Panthers.

Kenneth Walker III ran for 17 yards on nine carries in the Seahawks 18-16 win over the Colts.

Fantasy Impact

Walker looked like he may break his first carry of the game for a big gain, but he was tackled after just three yards. He remains a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 moving forward.