Kenneth II Walker

Walker has only an injury-prone Rashaad Penny in front of him after Chris Carson's retirement. The questions about his pass-catching ability hold down his fantasy value a bit, but with Penny on a one-year deal it seems likely that Walker will take over as the lead back at some point this season if Walker remains healthy. How often Walker runs with the first team will be something to watch as training camp unfolds. 

Rashaad Penny is expected to be Seattle's featured back if Chris Carson (neck surgery) isn't cleared or lands on PUP. Not playing on pass downs could leave Walker, who caught 19 passes in three seasons at Michigan State, as a change of pace or on the wrong side of a committee to open the year. With Carson and Penny on expiring deals, a J.K. Dobbins track is the floor for Walker, with the rookie backing up before taking over in 2023.

Walker's proficiency as a "one cut and go" runner at Michigan State should translate well to Seattle's rushing offense, Dugar said. The Seahawks drafted Walker with the 41st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft despite re-signing Rashaad Penny, the most productive back in the NFL over the final six weeks of the 2021 regular season. Chris Carson, coming back from a career-threatening neck injury, is also on the team's backfield depth chart. Head coach Pete Carroll, meanwhile, has praised Walker's pass-catching ability after a collegiate career in which he caught 19 passes in three years. Another injury-marred season for Penny could catapult Walker into a three-down role in what will assuredly be a run-first Seahawks offense. 

It took one five-second clip of Walker making a one-handed catch in rookie minicamp for speculation to grow on his role as a pass catcher. Carroll had praise for Walker's pass-catching ability, but said he has "a ways to go" as a pass blocker, even going as far to say it's "a real challenge" for him. After being selected with the 41st overall pick by a team that wants nothing more than to establish the run, Walker was already viewed as a rookie with high-end RB2 potential in fantasy. Should he find his way into an every down role as a pass catcher this year, Walker's fantasy expectations will begin to skyrocket.