Seattle Seahawks fans have had little to object to so far this season. The team has been largely dominant on both sides of the ball, leading to a 7-3 record and the second-best scoring margin in the NFL. However, there has been one unanimous complaint from Seahawks fans throughout the entire season: Why doesn’t Kenneth Walker III get more touches?
The 25-year-old running back has demonstrated an explosive, big-play ability since his 2022 rookie season, which is why his limited snap count has long drawn ire from Seahawks fans (and fantasy owners).
After Sunday’s 21-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the long-awaited unleashing of K9 may finally be coming. Head coach Mike Macdonald gave an ominous and encouraging quote in a press conference earlier today.
According to The Athletic’s Michael Shawn-Dugar, “Mike Macdonald says you could feel Ken Walker III’s impact on the ground and in the passing game Sunday and that ‘Ken is showing that he deserves some more opportunities.’”
Kenneth Walker III’s Possible Breakout
As per usual, Walker III was Seattle’s most impressive running back in Sunday’s game. The Michigan State product accounted for more than one-fourth of the Seahawks’ total yardage. He had 16 carries for 67 yards and one touchdown, and he added three receptions for 44 yards.
Walker III had his highest snap count (43) of the season yesterday, but it was still close to a 50/50 split with fellow running back Zach Charbonnet, who tallied 36 snaps. In contrast, Charbonnet rushed for 37 yards on 11 carries. While Charbonnet is frequently given goal-line work, which naturally limits yardage production, he’s averaging a woeful 3.4 yards per carry–a full yard less than Walker III’s 4.5 ypc.
Despite copious data illustrating Walker III’s superior efficiency, there was little incentive for Macdonald to make major changes to the backfield rotation while the team was not only winning but blowing out opponents. But the loss to the Rams could spark a shake-up.
This might also be a fortuitous time to experiment, as the Seahawks play the 1-9 Titans in Week 12. Tennessee’s defense is stronger than its offense, but they’re still allowing 134.7 rushing yards per game, which is the eighth-most in the league. Even if Walker III doesn’t secure 80% of the snaps, à la high-profile backs like Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, etc., an uptick from 50% could yield dividends.
“I just want to help the team in any kind of way I can,” Walker III told reporters after Sunday’s game. “If that’s in the air, on the ground. I feel like I was able to do that today.”
Fantasy Football Implications
Walker III has long frustrated fantasy football owners, not due to his talent but the limited opportunities. He’s averaging the 24th most points per game in fantasy football this season, which is solid for a running back stuck in a committee but not outstanding.
His fantasy impact has been especially limited by Charbonnet vulturing goal-line touchdowns. Walker III has four rushing touchdowns and zero receiving touchdowns this year. After finding the end zone this past week against the Rams, he said, “I haven’t scored since the Saints game, so it felt good to be able to get in the end zone and put some points on the board.”
If Macdonald’s words hold true and Walker III does see more opportunities as the season progresses, it’s fair to assume many of them would be near the goal line, cutting into Charbonnet’s share. He could vault into a high-end RB2, if not an RB1, in Seattle’s high-scoring offense.
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