Seattle added another receiving weapon in the first round of the NFL Draft to let Geno Smith cook, right? Oh wait, they also added another top-end running back talent the following round. So, are they committed to pounding the rock as usual, or are they going to let Geno air it out after what he showed last season? Either way, the Seahawks are contenders with a loaded offense and an improving defense.
Notable Offseason Moves
Additions
- Evan Brown (OG)
Departures
- Rashaad Penny (RB)
- Travis Homer (RB)
- Marquise Goodwin (WR)
- Laquon Treadwell (WR)
- Kyle Fuller (OG)
- Gabe Jackson (OG)
- Austin Blythe (OG)
Draft Recap
Seattle had a very balanced draft taking an offensive and defensive player with their two first-round picks and two second-round picks. With their second first-round pick, they selected arguably the best wide receiver in the draft class in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. This pick is a bit looking into the future as Lockett is nearing the age of regression but also accomplished adding a potentially elite weapon. Adding Zach Charbonnet in the second round adds depth to their backfield that they’ve felt lacking as it seems every year that backfield is hobbling by season end. The additions of guards Anthony Bradford and Olu Oluwatimi in the fourth and fifth rounds respectively are great additions to the depth of their offensive line.
Positional Previews
Notable Players- Geno Smith, Drew Lock
Geno proved he was the guy last season with his year 9 breakout season. It’s not very often that you see the fantasy community and the NFL buy into a player breaking out this late in his career, but Geno’s numbers support the trust he’s getting. Plus, he has an elite supporting cast with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker, and Zach Charbonnet. Two perennial 1,000-yard receivers, a top rookie wide receiver, a 1,000-yard rusher, and another top rookie running back. Expect more of the same from Geno this season.
Notable Players- Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, DeeJay Dallas
Kenneth Walker is coming off an 1,000-yard rushing season as a rookie, yet the team still drafted Zach Charbonnet in the second round. Both of these players are very talented running backs, which means they will be splitting time. Charbonnet has a bit better of a receiving profile, and both are very good runners. Chances are, they are both low-end RB2s with top-5 fantasy running back upside if the other goes down. Without injury though, they’ll both eat into each other’s value on a week-to-week basis.
Dallas and McIntosh are handcuff running backs in a backfield that for some reason consistently has injuries. Decent stashes in Dynasty, but just watchlist players in Redraft.
Notable Players- DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Tyler Lockett has had over 100 targets and 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons. DK Metcalf has had over 100 targets and over 900 yards each of the past four seasons. Add in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a nearly elite rookie wide receiver, someone’s targets are taking a hit. Maybe even both take a hit. It’s hard to predict which one it’ll be at this point, but we can assume that JSN will be the starting slot wide receiver with Lockett and Metcalf playing the outside and a majority of two-wide sets.
JSN will take some time to acclimate, but I expect him to have an impact in this offense that takes some upside away from Lockett and Metcalf. Long-term, I see Lockett being the one that slowly is taken over by Smith-Njigba as Lockett hits age 31 season this year.
Notable Players- Noah Fant, Will Dissly
Noah Fant is a talented tight end, but he’s competing for targets with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and now Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Not to mention any targets to the running backs. As the fourth option in this offense, Fant isn’t more than a bye week fill-in at the tight end position. Will Dissly is unrosterable even with an injury ahead of him.
Team Projections
NOTE: Not all players are stated out and projections are provided by Rich King
Quarterbacks
| Name | Pass Cmp | Pass Att | Pass Yards | Pass TDs | Pass INTs | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geno Smith | 401 | 558 | 4,306 | 29 | 11 | 72 | 359 | 1 |
Running Backs
| Name | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs | Targets | Recs | Rec Yards | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kenneth Walker III | 263 | 1,183 | 9 | 28 | 22 | 132 | 1 |
Zach Charbonnet | 96 | 421 | 3 | 56 | 42 | 294 | 2 |
Wide Receivers
| Name | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs | Targets | Recs | Rec Yards | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D.K. Metcalf | - | - | - | 141 | 90 | 1,080 | 8 |
Tyler Lockett | - | - | - | 113 | 79 | 1,027 | 8 |
Jaxon Smith-Njigba | - | - | - | 113 | 85 | 935 | 5 |
Tight Ends
| Name | Rush Att | Rush Yards | Rush TDs | Targets | Recs | Rec Yards | Rec TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Noah Fant | - | - | - | 56 | 44 | 429 | 3 |
Will Dissly | - | - | - | 39 | 33 | 340 | 2 |
