In the span of ten days, the Seahawks have gone from unbeaten to unseated atop the NFC West. During Seattle’s string of three straight losses, there hasn’t been much clarity in the passing game. The three-headed monster of DK Metcalf ($6,800), Tyler Lockett ($5,300) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($5,900) have all taken turns leading the way at wide receiver, so it’s anyone’s guess as to who is best set up for long-term success.
Most offenses across the league aren’t equipped to support three fantasy football starters. However, the Seahawks have thrown the most pass attempts per game in the NFL this year (41.8), and there’s no reason to expect a sudden shift to run-first football.
Metcalf has led the way with 469 receiving yards and two touchdowns. However, stat lines have never told the full story of his career. For as talented as he is, Metcalf has always been streaky. That’s remained the case in 2024; a combined 132 yards in Weeks 1, 5 and 6 have been overshadowed by several 100-yard performances. While the 27-year-old is still the fantasy WR15, his inconsistency is something fantasy managers need to be mindful of.
If Metcalf manages to limit his drops, he could return to WR1 status. His catch rate is a meager 57.4%, the worst on the roster. However, since 2020 the wide receiver has only hauled in 60.4% of balls thrown to him. At this point, it’s wishful thinking to assume he’ll become a sure-handed target.
Lockett, a ten-year veteran, is still a dependable safety blanket for Smith. Despite many predicting a statistical drop-off, he’s averaged 56.5 receiving yards per game thus far, a slight increase from last season. Although he’s never going to be a force in the red zone, the wideout has put up flex-caliber numbers for managers seeking a dependable option in their lineups.
Smith-Njigba has been the least productive of the three, but he’s still recorded 310 receiving yards and a touchdown. The second-year man from Ohio State may appear to be the odd man out, but he’s second on the team in targets with 49, nine more than Lockett and only five less than Metcalf. Even more promising is JSN’s team-leading seven red zone targets.
As of now, it’s safe to say that Geno Smith’s ($5,800) favorite target is still Metcalf; the two have undeniable chemistry. However, Smith-Njigba is a dark horse that managers should consider trading for. A 19.5% target share, 36th in football, in a pass-heavy offense, should lead to more opportunity down the road. I’d expect Lockett to remain a factor on offense, but his current play seems to be the ceiling rather than the floor.
Seattle enters Week 7 as three-point underdogs against the Falcons. The over/under is at 51 points.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is barmy) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
