The Seahawks got a huge win in Arizona on Sunday and are 8-5 after winning four straight to surge into the lead in the NFC West. The Rams and Cardinals are just one game back, though, so they’ll need to keep their foot on the gas all the way through the finish line in four weeks. The home stretch starts for them in Week 15 with a tough matchup in Seattle on Sunday Night Football against the Packers. Last week, Zach Charbonnet ($6,000) starred in their win against the Cardinals while Kenneth Walker III ($6,300) was sidelined.
Here’s what coach Mike Macdonald said about Walker on Wednesday:
Mike Macdonald says there are positive signs regarding Kenneth Walker III’s calf injury, but he’s “day to day” at the moment. #seahawks#FantasyFootball
— Niko Tamurian (@NikoTamurian) December 11, 2024
Depending on K9’s status for this week will Charbonnet be a must-start for fantasy? Let’s take a look:
Zach Charbonnet’s upside
Last week, I wrote that Charbonnet brought RB1 potential, and he definitely delivered on that in Week 14, turning in the most fantasy points of any running back.
He gashed the Cardinals for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries and added 59 receiving yards by catching all seven of his targets. He finished with 41.3 fantasy points, 14 points more than any other RB in action. Charbonnet scored a short touchdown in the first quarter and then broke loose for this 51-yard score just before halftime.
ZACH CHARBONNET 51-YARD TD!
📺: #SEAvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/P492n4pkXU— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2024
Walker has missed three games this season and Charbonnet has delivered big games in each one, averaging 28.3 fantasy points per game. He has five rushing touchdowns in those three games and has been very active as a receiver out of the backfield.
This week, he’ll take on the Packers, who rank in the middle of the pack this season against running backs. They gave up two running back scores to the Lions in Week 14, and running backs have six touchdowns against them in the last five weeks.
If Walker is out again, Charbonnet is a must start. I view him as strong RB2 with RB1 upside, just like he flashed this week against the Cardinals.
If Kenneth Walker III returns
Things get less clear if Walker is able to return. He is undergoing more testing on his calf issue, which seems to be the issue at this point more than the ankle injury he was dealing with at the start of last week.
When Walker has been healthy, Charbonnet has played a dramatically reduced role. He has scored two touchdowns in games with Walker available but has never run for more than 30 yards or gotten more than seven carries.
After such a strong showing, Charbonnet should be more involved next week even if Walker returns, but he becomes a FLEX play with RB2 upside since his workload will be much lighter.
The Bottom Line
Charbonnet should be owned in all formats given his upside, but his ownership is still only 70% in season-long leagues. If he’s available, he’s definitely worth adding. If you have him, he’s someone you definitley have to start if Walker is out, and one that you can play even if Walker comes back.
The injury situation is definitely one to watch closely in what should be one of the best matchups of Week 15. The Seahawks are currently 2.5-point home underdogs with Charbonnet at -135 to score a touchdown.
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