Ken Walker III

The Seattle Seahawks have selected RB Kenneth Walker III with the No. 41 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Fantasy Impact

Walker III produced strong numbers early in his collegiate career while at Wake Forest, but he broke out on a national level in 2021 after transferring to Michigan State, where he led the nation in broken tackles, and won the Doak Walker Award as the nations best running back. Walker III is a powerful runner with good vision and speed, but he didn’t contribute much as a receiving back in college. Although Walker III only had 18 career receptions, he has looked fluid as a receiver in his limited opportunities in games and at the NFL Scouting Combine. Walker III joins a crowded Seattle backfield that currently rosters the often injured Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. Fantasy managers will need to monitor this running back room during preseason to get a better sense for how carries will be split up.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that former Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III is scheduled to visit with the Washington Commanders at the end of this week.

Fantasy Impact

Walker III, who is competing with Iowa State’s Breece Hall to be the first RB selected in the 2022 NFL draft, had a relatively quiet first two years of his collegiate career while playing at Wake Forest. That all changed in 2021 when he transferred to Michigan State, led the nation in broken tackles, and won the Doak Walker Award as the nations best running back. The main knock evaluators point to for Walker III is his work in the passing game. His pass blocking tape is underwhelming and he only had 18 career receptions, though he has looked fluid catching the ball with those limited opportunities. Walker III landing in Washington would be a nightmare scenario for fantasy managers, as he would likely be limited to sharing early down carries with Antonio Gibson while JD McKissic works as the primary passing down back. This would severely limit all three RB’s fantasy upside in 2022.

According to The Draft Network, Kenneth Walker III runs a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine.

Fantasy Impact

With the combine going on this week in Indianapolis, Michigan States RB Kenneth Walker ran an impressive 4.38 forty time. It ranked third among all RBs, finishing just 0.01 seconds shy of tying for first. During his breakout 2022 season, the third-year college standout rushed for 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns. He's widely considered a day-two draftpick.