Seattle Seahawks

Seattle took a step back in 2023 after finishing 11th in total yards (351.5) and 9th in points per game (23.9). They fell to 21st (322.9) in total yards per game and 17th in points (21.4).

So why the regression? Look no further than Geno Smith's production. Smith (3,624/20/9) went from the fifth highest-scoring fantasy quarterback in 2022 to dropping to 19th after seeing a decrease of 79 fantasy points from one season to the next. Smith is currently penciled in as the starter entering 2024. However, the Seahawks added insurance in trading for Sam Howell, who was more productive in fantasy, producing 43 more fantasy points than Smith despite turning the ball over 23 times.

DK Metcalf (66/1,114/8) led all Seahawk pass catchers and likely would have finished higher than WR21 if he had caught more than 55% of the targets he had seen. Metcalf retains value heading into 2024, as he was the team's go-to option in the red zone. With 16 end zone targets (fourth-most among receivers) and a receiving touchdown market share of 38.1% (14th), Metcalf remains a solid fantasy option.

Tyler Lockett is also returning for another season after seeing 122 targets last year, resulting in 894 yards and 79 receptions. Lockett's production on the field led to 202 fantasy points and a WR32 finish, making him an ideal target as your third or fourth receiver.

Expect Jaxon Smith-Njigba (63/628/4) to take a step forward this season after showing signs of a breakout in 2023. Between weeks 7 and 16, the rookie posted a top-40 scoring week in seven of those ten contests, giving him a lovely floor as a flex option. With a current ADP of 105 (WR43), Smith-Njigba is worth a roster spot and if Lockett or Metcalf were to miss time due to injury, then you could have a league-winner on your hands.

At running back, Seattle is expected to use Kenneth Walker (219/905/8) and Zach Charbonnet (108/462/1) as a duo, with Walker again in line for the lion's share of the touches out of the backfield. Walker should be viewed as an RB2 in fantasy. If either back misses time, the other will certainly have the opportunity to ascend into RB1 status.

Noah Fant (32/414/0) is looking to bounce back from the worst season of his career in yards, receptions, and touchdowns. However, the best may long be behind him at this point.

QB Geno Smith - Bye Week Fill-in

After a career year in 2022, Smith saw a precipitous drop in play last year. The decline of the offensive line played a big part, as Smith was pressured more and had less time to throw. Despite the addition of second-round G Christian Haynes, Seattle's front-five looks like a bottom-10 unit. Additionally, Seattle will be breaking in a new defensive-minded head coach and an offensive coordinator with no NFL play-calling experience. And there is added competition in the form of Sam Howell. The Seahawks have a solid supporting cast, giving some hope that Smith can rekindle some of the 2022 magic. But with the fourth-lowest win total projection, this is shaping up to be another tough season in Seattle. ADVICE: Low-end QB2

QB Sam Howell - Dynasty Only

ADVICE: Geno Smith faltered last season. If he continues to struggle, Howell could be given a shot to right the ship. A reserve to stash in Superflex.

RB Kenneth Walker III - Solid/Safe Pick

The Seahawks are breaking in a new head coach and play caller but will stick with the zone scheme that fits Kenneth Walker well. Even though he missed two games and was limited to four carries in another, Walker ranked fifth with 56 missed tackles forced and had 24 breakaway runs. He also saw a boost in catches and was more elusive in his second season. Walker will continue to lose reps to Zach Charbonnet but will still contend for 1,000-plus rushing yards and double-digit scores. He's a dependable RB2 who will produce a handful of weekly RB1 showings. ADVICE: Solid RB2 target who will pop some top-5 weeks

RB Zach Charbonnet - Fantasy Handcuff

As predicted, Zach Charbonnet assumed a supporting role in his first season. He accumulated 671 total yards and averaged 6.6 fantasy points per game. However, in the three games where he played more than half of the snaps, he averaged nearly 20 touches and 75 total scrimmage yards, with two top-20 weekly showings. Charbonnet was just as effective as Ken Walker as a runner and out-targeted Walker 40-37 on 110 fewer snaps. He should retain his primary receiving back role and could contend for a larger share of the rushes with Seattle's new staff. ADVICE: One of the top handcuffs with some standalone RB

WR DK Metcalf - Solid/Safe Pick

Metcalf has been reliable, ranking between 20th and 24th in fantasy points per game in each of his three seasons. Metcalf was utilized on more deep routes last year, ranking 10th with 26 deep targets and seventh in air yards share. But quarterback play has been keeping Metcalf from peaking. He ranked sixth in red-zone targets but 90th in target quality. Metcalf also went on a tear down the stretch, posting WR7 numbers from Weeks 12-17. But until there is more consistent quarterback play, he'll likely remain a reliable WR2. That's not necessarily a bad place to be. ADVICE: Reliable WR2 who will produce multiple 'pop' weeks

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba - Quality Backup

Buy the dip. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was one of the most hyped players last season but ended up finishing his rookie campaign outside of the top 60. However, there were some flashes, and JSN's usage down the stretch was encouraging. The Seahawks were forced to use a lot of 12 sets early on last season but starting in Week 7, Smith-Njigba averaged 10.2 fantasy points per game down the stretch. Tyler Lockett if on a three-year decline in most metrics, so we could see Smith-Njigba move into two wide sets. Fantasy managers who bought into the hype are likely to pass in 2024. JSN looks like a screaming late-round value. ADVICE: Rising talent who will outplay his ADP

WR Tyler Lockett - Over the Hill (decreased production)

On a three-year slide in nearly every metric, Tyler Lockett's days as a reliable WR2 are behind him. Seattle ran the 10th-most plays out of two-tight-end formations last season and Lockett remained in during these plays. However, it is only a matter of time before Lockett is passed over for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Seattle also will be introducing a new staff and has quarterback concerns. Lockett has been a trusty fantasy outlet option for many years but his days of posting consistent weekly production are limited. View the 32-year-old veteran as a WR4 with bye-week fill-in value. ADVICE: WR4 with some streaming value but should no longer be viewed as a starter

TE Noah Fant - Sleeper (undervalued)

Last year, the Seahawks game three different tight ends between 23 and 33 snaps per game. This lackluster trio also accumulated a target share between four and eight percent. With Will Dissily and Colby Parkinson gone, the hope is that Noah Fant will command the majority of those snaps and targets. With Ryan Grubb taking over as Seattle's offensive coordinator, Fant could see some H-back snaps and be more involved as a downfield threat on play-action. Fants has good downfield skills and could potentially put up some nice value numbers as an inexpensive late-round flier. ADVICE: Very good late-round flier who is essentially free in most drafts

PK Jason Myers - Solid/Safe Pick

Myers finished a surprising third in fantasy points last season thanks to booting 35 out of his 42 field goals. Myers has now had two standout seasons in a row in Seattle, but a new offense and new regime will complicate his chances of a three-peat. Instead, view Myers as a solid fantasy option in an offense that has tended to settle for field goals over touchdowns.

Seattle - Not Draft Worthy

Seattle plummeted to 30th in defense last year mainly because they couldn't stop the run. They allowed 138.4 rushing yards per game which ranked 31st. The Seahawks were better from a fantasy perspective, racking up 47 sacks and 19 turnovers, but can't be depended on to rank in the top half of fantasy DST options in 2024.