:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66592155/1196578307.jpg.0.jpg)
NFL free agency started on March 18th, but technically does not end until the end of the season. However, after a firehose of news the first week, and another run the second week, things quiet down to a trickle. There are still big names out there, but it’s going to take some time to get them signed, sealed and delivered.
With that in mind, it’s time to take a look at where teams stand after the early rush of free agency and what it means for fantasy football. We’re going to take a look at the skill positions, breaking down what the starting lineup and reserves will look like to assess fantasy value heading into August drafts.
Today, we’re taking a look at the Seattle Seahawks, who added TE Greg Olsen, WR Phillip Dorsett, CB Quinton Dunbar and C B.J. Finney, while losing LT George Fant in a fairly quiet free agency period. Seattle should again be a strong team with playoff aspirations in the tough NFC West.
Quarterback
Starter: Russell Wilson
Backups: None at the moment
Last season Wilson finished third in overall QB fantasy points, with one of his better seasons in the NFL. He completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 4,110 yards (8 YPA) for 31 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing 75 times for 342 yards and three touchdowns.
Once again though, the coaching staff wouldn’t truly let Wilson reach his fantasy potential. He thankfully did see a bump in passing and rushing attempts from the previous season, but that 2018 season gave him his fewest passing and rushing attempts since his sophomore season. Hopefully the trend continues back up, as Wilson is a great quarterback who needs the ball in his hands more often than most of the quarterbacks in the league. But, even in a run-heavy offense, Wilson continues to be efficient enough to be a top fantasy quarterback.
Running Back
Starter: Chris Carson
Backups: Rashaad Penny, Travis Homer
Carson had a strong 2019 season, rushing 278 times for 1,230 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 37 receptions for 266 yards and two more touchdowns. But he injured his hip in Week 17, giving some concern for his status in Week 1 of 2020. He avoided surgery and is expected to be ready, but it is something to keep any eye on.
Carson’s running mate, Rashaad Penny, also was injured toward the end of 2019 with a torn ACL. His status for Week 1 is a bit iffier, but he should make a full recovery. But, it does look like the Seahawks need to bulk up their running back depth, as they are committed to the run on offense. Both Carson and Penny had value when healthy, so we’ll need to keep an eye on their status while watching for news of the team bringing in more backs to compete.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, Phillip Dorsett
Backups: David Moore, Malik Turner, John Ursua
The Seahawks receivers are looking good going into 2020, as Lockett and Metcalf made a strong pair last season and the addition of Phillip Dorsett should be a slight upgrade.
The run-first approach in Seattle hurts all of these receivers fantasy upside. Last season Lockett came in as fantasy WR13 while Metcalf was WR33. Both receivers have much more upside than those numbers with Wilson behind center, but it’s likely going to take a big breakdown defensively along with Carson and Penny having trouble returning from their injuries for the team to go more pass heavy. Of course, that isn’t out of the question, so there is a little more hope for this passing game in 2020 based on its sheer strength.
Tight End
Starter: Greg Olsen
Backups: Will Dissly, Jacob Hollister
The Seahawks are stacked at tight end with three viable starting tight ends for 2020. Maybe they end up trading one, but either way, I doubt we get one going off as the sole target getter at the position. If Olsen can show he’s got some of his old play left in him, he’ll stick as the leader of the group and have the most consistency in fantasy.