Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks‘ fantasy football choices are somewhat of a mess this year. This is often the case with rebuilding (reloading, if you’re an optimist) teams. Seattle’s entire roster is in flux, making nearly every player a risky fantasy pick. However, there are some high upside gems, and landing the right running back late could carry you to first place.
I believe fantasy football selections are all about opportunity. Which players are going to receive the lion’s share of the workload? Who is put in a position to score touchdowns? And who can create touchdowns on their own? That last point is vital because Seattle’s quarterbacks are Drew Lock and Geno Smith. Neither passer can be counted on to maintain long scoring drives.
The case for drafting D.K. Metcalf is that he’s quarterback proof. He’s the most physically imposing receiver in the NFL, and it translates on the field. Not only does Metcalf run by defenders but he can also box them out and win 50/50 battles with his strength and leaping ability. It’s a coverage nightmatre for most d-backs and neither Smith nor Lock are shy about putting the ball up for grabs.
Metcalf should continue seeing a decent amount of volume. Seattle is a run-first team and with Tyler Lockett on the team he’ll split targets, but D.K. should continue to get opportunities to shine.
The 6’4″ speedster is among the most heavily targeted players in the red zone. In 2021 Metcalf saw more opportunities within the 20-yard line than Terry McLaurin, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Ja’Marr Chase, and CeeDee Lamb. Yet, those players all have a higher ADP (Average Draft Position) than Metcalf.
Seattle loves to call plays for Metcalf near the goal line. Since he;s falling down fantasy draft boards, Metcalf a fantastic mid-round pick.
If Drew Lock wins the starting quarterback battle, I love Noah Fant as a late-round tight end pick. Since 2019 he’s led Denver Broncos in targets and receptions. Lock loved to use him as a safety blanket. In 2020, Fant grabbed 62 receptions on 93 targets for 670 yards and 4 touchdowns.
While Fant isn’t a touchdown machine, he had more red zone targets than David Njoku, George Kittle, Mike Gesicki, and Gerald Everett, who are all going off the board, either before or around the same time. Seattle Seahawks’ incumbent tight end Will Dissly hasn’t carved out a consistent niche in the offense, so Fant won’t lose many snaps to him.
Perhaps the most underrated receiver in the league, Tyler Lockett, continues to tumble down draft boards. He doesn’t have the same ceiling as Metcalf, but Lockett reminds many of Stefon Diggs in Buffalo because Lockett is one of the best route runners in the NFL, quarterbacks love to throw to him.
It gives the QB a target who will always be where they’re supposed to and has given himself some space, so the quarterback doesn’t have to make a risky throw. That’s what Diggs did for Josh Allen with the Bills. Yes, having a guy who can win a contested battle is nice, but a target who gets open also has immense value. It’s the same reason Brandin Cooks gets 1100 yards and 120 targets everywhere he goes.
Over the past three seasons, Lockett averaged 85 receptions on 116 targets for 1100 yards (9.4 yards-per-target) and 9 touchdowns. Those numbers translate to solid, steady, and reliable. In 2021, Tyler Lockett was also top five in both yards per target and yards per reception, outpacing Metcalf by quite a bit in both categories.
The downside to Lockett is that he rarely got targets around the goal line, so touchdowns may be hard to come by.
The Seattle Seahawks offensive attack will primarily stem from the ground. With the quarterbacks they have, Seattle isn’t exactly an “Air Force” in 2022 which means ground and pound is front and center.
Last season, Rashaad Penny returned from injury for the last six weeks of the season. He had six touchdowns, and 700 yards on 102 carries for an astounding 6.3 yards-per-carry. Seattle is currently amid one of the saddest quarterback battles of all time. So, why aren’t we drafting Penny with our first-round pick?
Injuries, man. Penny has only suited up for 37 of a possible 65 games since being drafted. Until the end of 2021, he wasn’t even getting 50% of the snap share during games. Penny is as likely to rip off a 150-yard, three-touchdown game as any running back in the league. But will he play?
If you draft Penny too early, you risk blowing a pick on a guy who won’t see the field. Wait too long, and you’re missing out on a guy who could lead any given week in fantasy points. The Seattle Seahawks could also run him into the ground because he’s on the last year of his one-year contract, and they’ve already drafted his replacement.
Kenneth Walker III is an excellent dynasty pick in fantasy football. He will split carries (at best) in 2022 but will most likely get the keys next season. Walker can be a workhorse back in a league that rarely sees workhorse backs anymore. The most talented runner in the 2022 draft class, he can win games practically by himself.
Unfortunately, he’ll have trouble seeing the field in 2022 for various reasons. The biggest reason is Penny. Beyond Penny already proving to be a fluid NFL running back, he’s also an excellent pass blocker. It’s one of the few areas that Walker struggled with in college, and coaches love a guy who can pick up the blitz.
If you’re going to draft one of the Seahawks’ running backs in fantasy football, try to acquire both. This will protect you from injury and let you see who head coach Pete Carroll favors as the season progresses. Otherwise, If you’re sitting there late and one of them has fallen, they’re definitely worth the risk. They both have incredible upside but are going late cause of the questions I’ve raised. Don’t reach!
Which Seattle Seahawks playrs will you take in your fantasy draft? Let us know in the comments section below.