Kenneth Walker III was a steady RB2 option for fantasy owners through his first two years in Seattle. Heading into his third year, what should owners expect from the Seahawks starting running back?
2024 Fantasy Football Profile: Kenneth Walker III
2023 Review
Walker finished the 2023 season with an average of just over 10 fantasy points per game. While that includes Week 18 when most fantasy leagues are done and two weeks he missed due to injury, those numbers are still solid RB2 numbers. He finished as the RB17 ahead of Isaiah Pacheco last year in fantasy.
Walker’s fantasy season was hit by some major inconsistencies where he struggled to get even five fantasy points. Those weeks put a huge damper on his overall performance, and prevented him from floating into the low-RB1 tier. He had just one, 100-yard game but had three weeks where he posted less than 25 rushing yards.
2024 Projection
Based on his first two years, Walker is expected to be an RB2 once again in 2024. However, he should put up solid numbers to be a strong RB2 candidate. He’s never totaled less than 900 rushing yards in either of his first two seasons, and this coming year shouldn’t be any different.
Walker also gets a boost in fantasy that his schedule is the eighth-easiest among NFL running backs. That is something he will take advantage of and use his 4+ yards per carry to his benefit. He’s coughed up the football just once in two years which makes him another strong RB2 candidate. You want guys who are going to take care of the football, and that’s exactly what he does.
Zach Charbonnet is still there and while he may steal some of the touches from Walker, it’s not a 50-50 split. Walker is the feature back in Seattle, and he will continue to be unless it’s noted otherwise. The Seahawks have been pleased with his performances to date, and fantasy owners feel the same way.
Every Kenneth Walker explosive run (15+ yds) in 2023 pic.twitter.com/vdY08ZaTc6
— Stat Acccount (@AcccountStat) August 20, 2024
Kenneth Walker III Fantasy Football ADP
FantasyPros lists Walker’s ADP at 43 with a wide range of 14-66. Anyone taking him in the second round of their draft is really reaching. There’s a lot better running backs that could be taken before him. His spot of 43 is the right fit to grab him in the fourth or fifth round.
Walker’s draft spot is perfect for an RB2 that can compliment a running back from the first or second round. He’s averaged two catches per game in each of his first two seasons, so he adds some receiving value in PPR leagues. He’s one of many running backs whose value is elevated in PPR formats compared to standard leagues.
You don’t appreciate how insane Kenneth Walker III is as a lateral mover until you watch his all-22….
Top 10 runningback in the NFL ‼️ pic.twitter.com/wMP0Gnuvr4
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 22, 2024
The biggest thing for Walker in 2024 is consistency. He has to take that step forward and put up similar numbers week in and week out. Everyone knows there will be weeks where players struggle because it’s inevitable, but those need to be the exception and not the norm moving forward for Walker.
Main Photo Courtesy of Joe Camporeale – USA Today Sports
