Are Kenneth Walker and Jaxon Smith-Njigba Worth Early Fantasy Football Picks Now that Sam Darnold is Running the Offense?

Let's do another fantasy football outlook, this time checking out the Seattle Seahawks.

We have looked at the Steelers, Packers, Titans, Panthers, Chiefs, Falcons, Jaguars, Commanders, Texans, Cardinals, Bengals, Lions, Dolphins, 49ers, Chargers, Eagles and Ravens so far. We will cover other teams in the days and weeks to come, so keep checking back.

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Sam Darnold Fantasy Outlook

Darnold is coming off a really good fantasy season, but now is on a new team.

He was with an offensive guru in Kevin O'Connell and now joins a more defensive-minded coach in Mike Macdonald. That likely will lead to a less impressive fantasy season.

Darnold was QB9 overall last season. He's QB26 and sitting around pick 199 right now.

That's a drastic dropoff, but I think it's actually pretty fair. Granted I could see Darnold outproducing a number of the quarterbacks ahead of him, some big regression could be coming.

It's not even that crazy to say he could lose the starting job to rookie Jalen Milroe later in the season. Darnold was not that good of a starting option until he went to Minnesota.

In 17 regular season games last season, Darnold completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He added 212 yards and a score on the ground.

Darnold has completed 61.2% of his passes over his career. The most touchdowns he had in a season was 19, and he only made it to double digits one other season over seven total years in the league. Darnold has 98 touchdowns and 68 picks for his career, so you can see how much last year's numbers are propping up his career marks.

I'd view Darnold as a QB3 for fantasy purposes this year. He's off my fantasy radar in standard leagues, but should be watched in case last year wasn't a fluke. He could become a standard league asset again in time.

He'll likely be a better deep-league guy for the season, but again, I like him more as a depth guy, not a weekly starter. I'm just not sold on Darnold, especially with the change of scenery he got.

Running Back Fantasy Outlook

Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet are a solid 1-2 running back punch. Rookie Damien Martinez and George Holani are some depth options if either top guy misses time.

Walker is the leader of the backfield and is set to start when healthy. He's RB17 and going around pick 40 so far.

Walker went for 872 total yards and eight scores over 11 games a season ago. Injuries have been a theme of Walker's three-year career, missing two games in each of his first two seasons as well.

That injury risk is forcing his ADP down a bit, and makes him an uneasy pick, regardless of where you get him. He can be a really good fantasy asset when he's on the field, but if you are counting on him to be a weekly starter all season, I'm a bit skeptical on taking Walker.

His rank among running backs is fine, but that actual ADP is still very early. I prefer taking him if he drops into the late 40s, and like him a lot more in the 50s. If he doesn't get there, I'd let someone else take the risk.

I'd be happier with Chuba Hubbard, James Conner, Aaron Jones or a few other backs going after Walker. If you get Walker as your third back though, then I'm a bit more open to the idea of drafting him.

Charbonnet is RB38 and is going around pick 105 on average.

In 17 games last season, Charbonnet had 909 yards and nine touchdowns. He had some nice weeks when Walker was out, and factored in on offense even when Walker was out there.

He likely won't be as productive if he doesn't get any starts this season, but there could be times when the backup running back has some flex-level appeal.

I'm fine taking Charbonnet near that ADP all things considered. He's more of a depth option, but has enough upside to stash for the season. 

I'd try to avoid taking both of the Seattle backs, unless it's a deeper fantasy setup. There's more valuable options near each of their ADPs.

Martinez was a seventh-round pick, but he's getting fantasy buzz after a productive collegiate career. He's RB91 and going around pick 359 on average.

With Walker's injury woes, Martinez makes sense to add in some leagues. His most value is in dynasty/keeper leagues though, and you are hoping for a Walker or Charbonnet injury to get him into the mix this season. Don't expect too much out of Martinez this season.

Wide Receiver Fantasy Outlook

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the team's top wide receiver going into 2025. Cooper Kupp is a good No. 2 option, while rookie Tory Horton is the other projected starter. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Bobo, Dareke Young and rookie Ricky White III are some other depth options.

JSN is WR14 and is going around pick 33 overall. I think he'd be going earlier if Darnold didn't have just one good season under his belt.

He took off in his second NFL season, going for 1,156 yards and six scores over 17 games. Smith-Njigba had 1,130 receiving yards and the six scores over 100 catches and 137 targets.

He should be in line for even more in 2025, but again, the presence of Darnold is holding him back. While I think JSN is capable of finishing that high by the end of the season, I'm skeptical on taking him that early.

I'd prefer to grab him in the 40s, but it all comes down to your personal opinions on the wideout, and his quarterback. Just know there's at least some risk of him being a bust at his current ADP, and it doesn't feel like there's much room for him to turn into a draft steal.

Kupp is WR38 and is going around pick 84 on average. He fizzled out with the Rams, but still has some gas left in the tank, if he can stay on the field.

He only played 12 games last season, and hasn't topped that mark since 2021, which was his breakout season. Kupp had 720 total yards and six scores last season.

Kupp is a good No. 2 wideout at this point in his career, and he'll fill that role in Seattle. Again though, he's a risky pick near his ADP.

Not only do you have to worry about team quarterback play, but you have to factor in Kupp's injury history. I don't love the idea of drafting Kupp near his ADP, and think I'd pass on him unless he fell closer to pick 100.

Horton is WR76 and going around pick 250, while Valdes-Scantling is WR98 and at pick 315 on average.

Horton was a fifth-round pick this offseason, so to see him as a projected starter already means he could have been overlooked. Seattle also doesn't have a great third wideout, so the rookie could factor in early.

Valdes-Scantling played 14 games between the Bills and Saints last season. He did most of his damage as a Saint, but tallied 415 yards and four scores overall. MVS is a big-play threat, and he'll likely fill that role in Seattle too.

Behind JSN and Kupp, I don't see a ton of room for another receiver to step up. Horton is the more intriguing fantasy asset, and could become something in time, especially if Kupp misses more time.

Horton and MVS are just deep-league assets to kick off the season. Standard league owners should keep an eye on them as possible waiver wire/streaming options, but don't expect either to be weekly options in standard leagues, unless JSN and Kupp are out for extended periods.

Tight End Fantasy Outlook

AJ Barner is the team's projected starter, but rookie Elijah Arroyo is the fantasy asset everyone is talking about. Arroyo is TE27 and going around pick 224 on average, while Barner is TE43 and at pick 339 overall.

Arroyo was a second-round pick this offseason, so you can see why he's highly regarded. He only had one big season in college, and missed a ton of time with injuries.

Barner had 245 yards and four scores over 17 games in his rookie season. He was a fourth-round pick last offseason, so in time, most expect Arroyo to take over the starting role and lead the way.

I also like Arroyo more, but am not sure he'll erupt as a rookie. He's just a deep-league asset to kick off the season, but could become a standard league guy if he's contributing and playing most of the offensive snaps.

Barner could have more fantasy value to kick off the season, but again, that's just for deep leagues. 

There's room in this offense for a tight end to contribute, so we'll see if either guy separates themself and emerges as a standard league asset.