Seattle’s backfield remains one of the most frustrating committees in the league as Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet continue splitting work without clear efficiency advantages. Both runners enter Week 9 with concerning usage patterns and production metrics that create weekly headaches for fantasy managers. Can fantasy football managers trust either Seahawks runner against the Washington Commanders this week?
Kenneth Walker III Fantasy Outlook
Despite maintaining his starting designation, Walker continues struggling with consistency and role definition within Seattle’s offense. The Michigan State product is averaging 4.5 yards per carry on the season, but that number masks significant volatility. Walker posted over 8.0 yards per carry in two games while failing to exceed 3.9 yards per attempt in his other five contests.
The timeshare situation has tilted increasingly toward Charbonnet as the season progresses. In games where both backs have been healthy, Walker has exceeded a 50% snap share just once. Walker played a season-low 33.3% of snaps in Week 6 against Jacksonville, highlighting his diminishing role within the committee approach.
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Walker has virtually no clear path to consistent fantasy scoring under the current usage patterns. The fourth-year back operates as a two-down runner who rarely catches passes, evidenced by his 4.9% target share that ranks among the lowest for starting backs. Walker has managed just three carries inside the five-yard line all season, completely eliminating goal-line touchdown opportunities from his fantasy profile.
The only realistic avenue for Walker to generate meaningful fantasy points involves breaking off long touchdown runs. Walker’s explosiveness remains evident in his better performances, but banking on 60-plus yard scores creates an unreliable foundation for weekly lineup decisions. His refusal to accept easy yardage in favor of bouncing runs outside or seeking splash plays turns positive situations into negative ones at an alarming rate.
Zach Charbonnet Fantasy Outlook
Efficiency metrics paint an even uglier picture for Charbonnet, who somehow manages worse production than his backfield partner. The UCLA product is second in the league in percentage of carries resulting in zero or negative yards at 29.2%, a staggering rate that reflects poor vision and decision-making. Both backs rank in the top seven league-wide in this concerning category, creating one of the NFL’s least productive backfield committees.
Charbonnet’s 2.8 yards per carry average ranks dead last among qualified running backs, establishing one of the worst efficiency profiles in recent memory. The third-year back has managed just two carries longer than eight yards across 72 total rushing attempts this season. Charbonnet has failed to produce a 10-yard run in four of his six games, highlighting his complete lack of explosive play ability.
However, Charbonnet maintains one crucial advantage that separates his fantasy value from Walker’s declining prospects. Despite missing a game and already having his bye week, Charbonnet’s nine carries from inside the five-yard line rank fifth in the league. Seattle’s coaching staff clearly trusts him in short-yardage and goal-line situations where touchdowns are most accessible.
Charbonnet has seen every goal line rush in games when both backs have been active together. The former Bruin has outscored Walker in five of six contests where both played, demonstrating touchdown production can mask efficiency struggles. Charbonnet’s role near the end zone provides weekly touchdown equity that creates a reasonable fantasy floor despite his concerning yards-per-carry average.
Should You Start Walker or Charbonnet This Week?
Washington presents a middle-tier matchup for both Seattle running backs this week. The Commanders allow the 18th-most schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to running backs, creating slightly below-average conditions without presenting a matchup to actively avoid. Washington’s run defense has allowed 4.4 yards per carry while surrendering four rushing touchdowns through eight games.
Jayden Daniels’ return from injury creates positive implications for overall game environment and scoring potential. With Daniels back under center, this Sunday Night Football contest should remain competitive throughout. The Seahawks enter as three-point favorites, suggesting a balanced offensive approach that benefits both rushing and passing attacks.
Both backs should retain their usual roles in what projects as a moderately high-scoring affair. Charbonnet emerges as the clearly superior fantasy option due to his monopoly on goal-line work and touchdown upside potential. While his efficiency numbers remain abysmal, his access to scoring situations provides the only realistic path to double-digit fantasy points for either player.
Walker functions as a viable RB3 or Flex option in deeper formats, though his extremely limited floor makes him a risky play. Fantasy managers should prioritize Charbonnet for his touchdown equity while viewing Walker as a desperation option whose value depends entirely on explosive plays materializing. Neither back offers ideal weekly production, but Charbonnet’s goal-line role gives him the higher probability of fantasy relevance in Week 9.