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Fantasy Football Player Notes

Week 1 Rankings

Kenneth Walker III Note
Kenneth Walker III photo 16. Kenneth Walker III RB - (vs . LAR)
Kenneth Walker III stood as the RB8 from Weeks 6-17 after Rashaad Penny was placed on IR with a season-ending injury in 2022. The rookie was the RB9 in points per game. If you remove the two games, he missed due to injury (Weeks 13/14) he averaged 16.4 fantasy points per game, which would have placed him as the RB8 in points per game. He got absolutely FED after returning from a late-season ankle injury. Walker was either consistently playing 70 percent-plus snaps or carrying the ball 23-plus times as the Seattle workhorse. And at times, we even saw Walker earn targets while leading the backfield in routes run. But overall, he underwhelmed as a receiver as he did at the college level. And his tendency to look for home runs resulted in a rushing success rate that ranked second-to-last (31.4%) among rushers with at least 100 carries in 2022. He also missed games because of injuries. His path to RB1 upside will be that much tougher to realize after the team added Zach Charbonnet in the second round of this year's draft. And to add literal insult to injury, Walker popped up this offseason with a groin injury, forcing him to miss time in training camp and during the preseason contests. However, he is healthy entering Week 1 and should be started in all formats as a fantasy RB2 with upside for more until we learn more about a workload split between Walker/Charbonnet. The last time he faced the Rams (Week 18 of last season), Walker rushed for 114 yards on a whopping 29 carries. The Rams also lost linebacker Bobby Wagner (who is back on the Seahawks) who finished as PFF's highest-graded run defender among linebackers in 2022.
27 weeks ago
DK Metcalf Note
DK Metcalf photo 41. DK Metcalf WR - (vs . LAR)
We love Geno Smith this week, therefore we love his WRs. Metcalf was Seattle's target share leader in 2022, and I'd expect nothing less from him in his first matchup versus a sans-Jalen Ramsey defense. Metcalf has an easy chance to hit paydirt in this particular matchup after leading all players in end-zone targets a season ago. The Rams were at their best in 2022 inside the red zone, allowing the league's lowest conversion rate. Expect that number to dip dramatically in favor of the Seattle passing game. Start Metcalf as a back-end fantasy WR1 in Week 1.
27 weeks ago
Tyler Lockett Note
Tyler Lockett photo 52. Tyler Lockett WR - (vs . LAR)
Arguably the league's most underrated WR...Tyler Lockett is in a great position for drafters looking for a start in Week 1. The long-time Seahawks WR has traditionally destroyed the Rams, and last year was no different. Two of Lockett's best games in 2022 were versus LA, highlighted by a season-high 128 receiving yards game on nine catches back in Week 13.
27 weeks ago
Zach Charbonnet Note
Zach Charbonnet photo 94. Zach Charbonnet RB - (vs . LAR)
Charbonnet posted the 5th-highest PFF receiving grade and tied for first in receptions per game (3.7) among his 2023 running back draft class. The former UCLA running back also finished with the highest positive run rate (57%) and lowest bust rate (4%) among drafted running backs. The rookie Seahawk can't deliver explosive rushes like Walker, but he can be trusted to hit doubles as a rusher and receiver consistently. He caught all four of his targets for 21 yards during the preseason. That's concerning for those hoping Walker was stepping into a legitimate three-down role this season, which was very appealing about his fantasy profile last year. I'd expect Charbonnet to get some solid run at points versus the Rams, but not to the extent that he should be started in most formats. We still don't know if he owns the receiving role with DeeJay Dallas seeing reps as the receiving back in the preseason. And it remains to be seen who Seattle will give the ball to when they enter the goal line. Keep the second rounder on your bench for Week 1, but don't be shocked to see him rise in the Week 2 rankings if he sees favorable usage.
27 weeks ago
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Note
Jaxon Smith-Njigba photo 101. Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR - (vs . LAR)
As we get closer to Week 1, we should know more about JSN's injury and availability. But after suffering a wrist injury in the preseason, Pete Carroll has been curiously optimistic about JSN's status saying he will play in Week 1. It's shocking given the intial diagnosis of 1-2 weeks missed, but you can really never rely on Petey Sunshine for accurate injury information. View JSN as a boom-or-bust WR3, that I am okay with starting if you drafted him as a starter before his ADP dipped out of starter range due to the injury scare.
27 weeks ago
Noah Fant Note
Noah Fant photo 151. Noah Fant TE - (vs . LAR)
The Seattle Seahawks are operating with a dreaded tight end by committee with Fant, Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson all mixed in the fold with the team's starting offense during the preseason games. Fant has the most upside of the bunch based on his receiving and athletic profile, but you're just praying for a TD or massive run after the catch score. Two games versus the Rams last season, Fant averaged four receptions for 31 yards. He won't score zero points but won't be useful unless he scores. All Fant's four touchdowns last season came on targets inside the 10-yard line. Avoid the Seattle tight end room.
27 weeks ago
Jake Bobo Note
Jake Bobo photo 328. Jake Bobo WR - (vs . LAR)
Pharaoh Brown Note
Pharaoh Brown photo 369. Pharaoh Brown TE - (vs . LAR)
Cody Thompson Note
Cody Thompson photo 433. Cody Thompson WR - (vs . LAR)
Tyler Mabry Note
Tyler Mabry photo 468. Tyler Mabry TE - (vs . LAR)
Brady Russell Note
Brady Russell photo 471. Brady Russell TE - (vs . LAR)
Cade Johnson Note
Cade Johnson photo 472. Cade Johnson WR - (vs . LAR)
Dee Eskridge Note
Dee Eskridge photo 489. Dee Eskridge WR - (vs . LAR)
Easop Winston Jr. Note
Easop Winston Jr. photo 494. Easop Winston Jr. WR - (vs . LAR)