Fantasy Football Player Notes

D.K. Metcalf finished 2023 with 66 receptions on 119 targets (23% target share), accumulating 1,114 yards and over 1,500 air yards (40% air yards share, 14th), averaging 16.9 yards per reception as the WR16 overall. 22nd in weighted opportunity. His longest catch of the season was a notable 73-yard play. He demonstrated his big-play capability with 37 receptions of 20+ yards (10th) and finished 20th in points per game (12.0). Metcalf scored 8 touchdowns, underlining his scoring prowess over 16 games with the 5th-most end-zone targets (15). He missed the first game of his NFL career in 2023. He's an Iron Man and a staple of consistency as high-end fantasy WR2.

Walker continues to hum along as a dependable RB2 in fantasy (RB20 last season) despite dealing with a myriad of injuries in 2023. Walker worked through a bruised shoulder, a strained oblique, a chest issue, and a tender calf last season. This didn't stop him from averaging 17.3 touches and 82 total yards in the 14 games that he played at least 41% of the snaps. Walker remains one of the best pure rushers in the game while sitting at fourth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 26th in explosive run rate last season (minimum 50 carries per Fantasy Points Data). Zach Charbonnet will continue to be a weekly worry as he siphons off red zone and pass game work, but Walker should still lead the backfield in touches this year.

In his first season, JSN managed 63 receptions from 93 targets (17.5% target share), totaling 628 yards with an average of 10 yards per reception. Smith-Njigba scored 4 touchdowns, indicating his growing role in the Seahawks' offensive scheme. 59th in points per game (7.0) and WR48 overall. But it shouldn't be forgotten that Smith-Njigba suffered a wrist injury that contributed to a slow start. He started to hit his stride more from Week 6 onward where he averaged 8.2 points per game. But still over this span, his route participation (74%, 50th) and high-end target competition made it tough for JSN to produce. With more opportunities in 2024 at just 22 years old, Smith-Njigba is an easy breakout candidate.

Tyler Lockett is past his prime and he showed it all year long with his very inconsistent play. 43rd in points per game (9.6) and WR33 overall despite a strong 22% target share and over 1,300 air yards. He failed to crack the top 30 WRs for the first time since 2017. It was also the first time he failed to match or exceed D.K. Metcalf in fantasy points.
Lockett recorded 79 receptions on 122 targets, totaling 894 receiving yards at an average of 11.3 yards per catch. He found the end zone 5 times. Lockett is also a logical cut candidate with him due nearly $28M against the salary cap in 2024 and 2025. Seattle has an "out" in his contract for 2024. Entering his age-32 season, you don't need to squint to see the potential fall for Lockett in fantasy football.

Zach Charbonnet played a complementary role in Seattle for most of his rookie season. Overall, he finished as the RB48 in fantasy points per game with 141 touches and 671 total yards. In the three games that he played at least 61% of the snaps, he averaged 19.7 touches and 75.3 total yards, with two top-18 running back finishes (RB18, RB13). Charbonnet did prove that he could carry the mail last year and surprised with his top-20 rankings in explosive run rate (20th) and yards after contact per attempt (11th, per Fantasy Points Data). Charbonnet could eat into Kenneth Walker's work more in 2024, but he's likely best viewed as a high-end handcuff with some stand-alone flex value.