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Player Outlooks (2024)
QB Geno Smith: The Seahawks have a new head coach with Pete Carroll essentially being forced out and the defensive-minded Mike Macdonald coming in, but the offensive coordinator hire is what is important for Smith—and he seems to be in excellent hands with Ryan Grubb coming in after two years of orchestrating a prolific Washington Huskies offense. Seattle also kept Tyler Lockett when there were some questions about him moving on to give Jaxon Smith-Njigba a clearer path to a significant role, so Seattle has three big-time wideouts (just as Grubb did at Washington) for Smith to have plenty of success through the air. We’ll see if they throw enough, but when asked to throw it 40+ times in 2023, the veteran had yardage totals of 328, 326, 369, and 334.
QB Sam Howell: We are mentioning Howell here because he was a starter last season, but there is no risk to Geno Smith’s job despite some suggesting otherwise when Seattle traded for him. Because of the situation and aggressiveness as a passer, Howell would draw some QB2 appeal if he were to make starts, and he’s also shown a willingness to get things done as a runner.
RB Kenneth Walker III: Walker is an extremely dangerous big-play threat that can turn nothing into something perhaps better than anyone in the league right now, and we’re excited to see what Seattle’s offense looks like under a new coaching staff. The one major concern is the presence of Zach Charbonnet simply because of how talented the former UCLA standout is himself, but Walker never appeared in danger of losing the lead role in 2023, and although the blocking didn’t help, Charbonnet never really got much going on the ground in two starts with Walker out last November (33 carries for 107 yards and one touchdown). Even a worst-case scenario of an even split would keep Walker as an RB2 because of his ability to rip off chunk gains and the overall talent.
RB Zach Charbonnet: Again, Charbonnet didn’t get much going as the starter in his first season, but the matchups came versus the 49ers and Cowboys, so his handcuff appeal remains extremely high as a slashing power back with underrated hands. There is also a chance the new coaching staff for Seattle gives Charbonnet more work than anticipated because he’s a pure no-nonsense runner compared to the freestyling Walker, and he should have more success with the carries he does get if the Seahawks are improved up front.
RB Kenny McIntosh: McIntosh is a guy that could give the Seahawks a full-blown committee if he forces his way into a role, and that’s not outside the realm of possibility based on what he showed at Georgia—particularly in the passing game. For fantasy purposes, McIntosh is more of a dynasty stash with a boost in full PPR formats.
WR DK Metcalf: The 83/1,303/10 line on 15.7 yards per reception for Metcalf in 2020 has led to the recent years—with an average of 1,064 receiving yards—seeming like a disappointment in comparison, but there might not be a player with more athletic upside in the league, and maybe a new system will allow him to put up increased numbers. Last season, the big-play ability at least reached a new peak with 16.9 yards per reception, and Metcalf has answered any questions about durability with just one missed game in his career. If the connection with Geno Smith can get back on track after it didn’t click at times in 2023, Metcalf should finish as at least a borderline WR1/WR2.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Smith-Njigba caught 63 passes as a rookie despite being the No. 3 wide receiver on an offense that underachieved, but it sounds like he is expected to supplant Tyler Lockett with the new coaching staff excited about the potential of the former Ohio State standout. While the maximum upside might not be unlocked due to the amount of talent for Seattle preventing him from being fully featured, JSN is well worth taking as a WR3 with a high floor.
WR Tyler Lockett: Lockett took a small pay cut this offseason to stay in Seattle with the team having the ability to move on with minimal cap implications in 2025, and as stated, we expect him to by jumped by Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the preferred No. 2. In recent years, the veteran has seen his receiving yards per game (73.4 > 64.6 > 52.6), yards per reception (16.1 > 12.3 > 11.3), and yards per target (11.0 > 8.8 > 7.3) decline from the final season with Russell Wilson, and he’s also seen a recent drop in both ceiling and consistency.
WR Jake Bobo: After making the team as an undrafted free agent and earning a role as a rookie, Bobo should be locked in as the No. 4 wideout for the Seahawks, and an injury could put him in position to be a fantasy factor. That said, the six-foot-four Bobo provides better real-life value as someone that can do a lot of the dirty work, and the Seahawks would likely lean more on their running backs if an injury hits at wide receiver.
WR Dee Eskridge: The Seahawks took Eskridge in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but he’s been limited to 17 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown through the air—including just one target in four games last year. Now entering his age-27 campaign, Eskridge needs to stay healthy and have a solid summer to make the team.
WR Laviska Shenault Jr.: Shenault is a candidate to take some of the gadget-type touches that Seattle has wanted to give Eskridge, and he began his career with decent production by totaling 691 yards and 660 yards in two seasons with the Jaguars before spending the past two years in Carolina. The Seahawks will also be counting on him to contribute in the return game.
TE Noah Fant: The ability for Fant could make him a breakout candidate, and he’s right in his prime entering his age-26/27 season as someone we have always believed in regarding the talent. Seattle’s new scheme potentially leaning on the wide receivers—and them keeping Tyler Lockett to give Geno Smith another year of the excellent trio—are negatives for Fant, but he’s a fast, explosive weapon that averaged a career-high 9.6 yards per target last season. Notably, Fant will take on his former Denver squad in the opener, and they’ve been extremely favorable to opposing tight ends.
TEs Pharaoh Brown and TE AJ Barner: Brown stepped up when his number was called last year in New England, but Seattle has made it known that he was signed to be a primary blocker—which at least will get him on the field. From a long-term perspective, Barner—drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft—will be counted on to fill that role.
Other Notes
Best IDP value: LB Derick Hall
Spending an early pick on cornerback Devon Witherspoon should be a good investment, but Hall is an extremely cheap option after not recording a sack as a rookie. The No. 37 overall pick in last year’s draft is someone we really liked coming out of Auburn, though, and an aggressive scheme under Mike Macdonald could allow him to break out alongside Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, and Darrell Taylor on the edge.
Stat to know (via draft guide)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba only had one game with more than seven targets and one game with more than 75% of the snaps played as a rookie.