If you took a late-round flier on Emanuel Wilson or scooped him up early off the waiver wire, you might feel like you hit the lottery. For the third time in four weeks, Seattle’s third-string RB handled 20+ carries while their top two running backs were sidelined. With Zach Charbonnet ruled out for Week 6, Wilson is back at the top of the depth chart — does that make him a must-start in all fantasy football formats?
Emanuel Wilson Recent Form
It hasn’t been about efficiency for Emanuel Wilson this season. The Seahawks signed him as the third-string back behind Charbonnet and rookie Jadarian Price, never expecting him to be a bell cow at any point this season. And yet here they are: Wilson is the man they’ve got, and Seattle won’t stop running the ball anytime soon.
It started in Week 2 with Charbonnet out. With the Seahawks largely in control against the Cardinals, Wilson handled 21 carries, while Price handled 13. Both were largely uninvolved in the pass game. Seattle trailed most of Week 3, which limited rushing volume, but Wilson remained the backfield leader with nine touches. Price landed on IR before Week 4 against the Chargers, giving Wilson full backfield control; he ran 21 times for 81 yards and a touchdown, plus three catches for 39 yards and another score.
Week 5 showed the Seahawks’ commitment to the run. In a back-and-forth game with the 49ers, Wilson dominated Seattle’s ground game, rushing 20 times for 61 yards and a score. Seattle’s remaining ball carriers received only five totes. Efficiency wasn’t there, but Wilson’s scoring kept him afloat, and he posted a respectable yard total through sheer will.
It’s clear Wilson can provide fantasy value in this context. Will he be in must-start territory for Thursday Night Football against the Broncos?
Week 6 Matchup Outlook vs. Broncos
Even better news for Wilson owners: this should be a banger matchup for the Seahawks’ ground game.
The Broncos have allowed 726 rushing yards through five games, placing them 30th in the league. They’ve also coughed up a steep 4.7 yards per carry. Denver spent big on its defensive line both in free agency and with draft capital; that has paid dividends in the pass rush, but the run game has suffered. Even an inefficient back like Wilson could feast against this paper-thin front seven.
Fantasy Verdict
With Charbonnet already ruled out and Price remaining on the shelf, Wilson is a locked-in fantasy play. Though you won’t see much of him in the passing game, Wilson should get 20+ touches in a game that should play out positively for the Seahawks. I have a hard time believing that you have a better FLEX option, even in PPR formats. Get him in your lineup and send a mid-week shot at your fantasy opponent.
