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There have been a lot of changes this offseason with the Seattle Seahawks. The Russell Wilson era is over, for example.
Another change is that the team drafted Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Does Walker being a high draft pick mean he'll start for the Seahawks this season? Or is this Rashaad Penny's backfield?
Who is Kenneth Walker III? NFL Rookie Background
Kenneth Walker III is a 5-foot-9 running back from Michigan State who was drafted with the 41st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Walker was highly successful in his final collegiate season. He played two years at Wake Forest and rushed for 13 touchdowns in 2020, then transferred to Michigan State, where he set the Big Ten on fire.
In 2021, Walker had 263 rushing attempts for 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns and also added 13 catches for 89 yards and a score. He won the Walter Camp Award and the Doak Walker Award and was named to the first-team All-Big Ten.
Will Kenneth Walker Start for the Seahawks in 2022?
So, you see that stat line above? What do you instantly notice?
That's right: very little usage in the passing game.
Walker had just 19 receptions over the course of his three seasons in college. Without being involved in the passing game, it will be tough for him to establish himself as the every down back in Seattle, although his path to rookie-year playing time is more clear with Chris Carson retiring.
And you know what else will make that tough on him?
Rashaad Penny.
Penny has never really been healthy, but when we finally got a glimpse of him at the end of last season, we saw a dynamic player. He led the NFL in yards per attempt at 6.3, and over the final five games, Penny was unstoppable with 92 carries for 671 yards and six touchdowns. That's a 17-game pace of 2,281 yards and 20 TDs. He won't reach quite that level, but Penny is very good at the one thing Walker is good at running the ball.
Penny doesn't do a ton of receiving, so maybe Walker's path to snaps is counter-intuitive. Maybe he needs to display some pass-catching ability in training camp.
But either way, Penny is the clear starter for now, but his injury concerns seem to always be lurking around the corner. Walker will be the starter if Penny cannot play a full season.
What's Kenneth Walker's Fantasy Football Value in 2022?
In RotoBaller's most recent rankings, Walker is ranked 94th overall in redraft rankings.
An ADP just inside the top 100 makes sense. Walker is a young back who doesn't have much wear and tear on his legs, he can rack up the yardage if he gets a chance, and he's playing behind the oft-injured Penny. There's a lot of upside with Walker.
But if you draft him, you have to be aware that you might be waiting a while for decent production, especially in an offense that no longer has Russell Wilson at the controls. If that's fine with you, then take a shot on him.
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