The Seattle Seahawks’ backfield presents one of the most intriguing fantasy football dilemmas heading into the 2025 season. With Kenneth Walker III maintaining his mid-round draft status despite an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, managers face a crucial decision about investing in his explosive potential.
Meanwhile, Zach Charbonnet lurks as one of the NFL’s most talented backup running backs, creating a compelling handcuff situation that could reshape fantasy football strategies. Both players operate under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s zone-heavy scheme, adding another layer of complexity to this already fascinating backfield battle.
Kenneth Walker III Fantasy Outlook
Kenneth Walker III is a scary prospect. What makes matters worse is that after a down, injury-riddled 2024, he won’t be any cheaper in 2025. According to FantasyPros, Walker’s average ADP last August was 43rd overall as the RB16, but fast forward to now, and it’s nearly identical, 44th overall and RB15.
Typically, a bad season that left managers burned would drop a player’s stock. Yet, Walker’s youth and explosive profile are so enticing that the fantasy community is still willing to take a shot on him with a mid-round draft pick.
Best of Kenneth Walker 2024
You did your best K9 🫡 https://t.co/IIvab5vsYK pic.twitter.com/W9AD72rjaQ
— ᴅᴏxx ⚡️ (@new_era72) December 26, 2024
It’s easy to understand why. The Seahawks’ fancy new zone-heavy run scheme from offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has historically been good for running backs. Walker tends to struggle with his vision, which was compounded by a poor offensive line and scheme, but the zone blocking scheme tends to make the decision-making for backs a little easier.
If Walker can continue to increase his receiving profile and rip off a few more explosives, he could easily outproduce his ADP. However, he has yet to have a strong enough season to suggest he has this ceiling we’ve dreamt of for him. Even expanding his stats from 2024, Walker has barely crept over the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
He can make up for some of that with touchdowns, but their other young running back, Zach Charbonnet, will get his share of those too — especially in short-yardage situations. That’s before we get to any of the injury issues that Walker has been dealing with.
For me to be comfortable, I had been hoping his ADP would take a decent dip from last year. His youth and explosion certainly make him a fun bet to place, so if you believe this offense and line can take a step up with QB Sam Darnold and OC Klint Kubiak, then Walker stands to be the beneficiary and could have a breakout year. If you aren’t sold like me, he’s a tad too risky for the draft capital.
— Mason LeBeau, Fantasy Football Analyst
Zach Charbonnet Fantasy Outlook
Zach Charbonnet is one of the most overqualified backups in the NFL, in any position. The Seattle star was afforded double-digit carries in just five games last season and returned three top-eight finishes at the position, including an RB1 overall finish in Week 14.
Kenneth Walker III’s continued dominance of the team’s ground attack has limited Charbonnet to pass-catching work for most of his time in Seattle. However, that didn’t stop him from scoring nine touchdowns last season, including eight on the ground.
Charbonnet’s performances have put pressure on Walker, who is out of contract after this season. If Charbonnet balls out early in the year, there is a chance the team makes him a more prominent feature of the offense.
New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak joined in the offseason after a year with the Saints, where Alvin Kamara led all NFL running backs in targets (89). That likely has more to do with Kamara’s role on his team than with Kubiak, but it is a promising sign nonetheless. Walker will almost certainly get the first crack at the starting job, but Charbonnet is a high-upside stash in fantasy who could explode if Walker loses his role or misses time.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
