The Good

Usually in this section, I focus on a handful of players that I like to highlight. For the Eagles, I want to focus on their front office, particularly Howie Roseman. Roseman is now one of the best GMs in the NFL and has masterfully built this Eagles roster. One of the things I like about Roseman is he is not afraid to take chances. For instance last year’s trade for wide receiver A.J. Brown. Roseman knew Hurts needed another receiver alongside DeVonta Smith and he pulled the trigger. It paid off in a big way as Brown finished the season with 1,496 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. These types of moves are why the Eagles are the top dogs in the NFC.

On the field, it’s hard not to be in awe of how quickly Jalen Hurts has developed. The big-bodied Hurts has always had a knack for running the ball but he has greatly improved as a passer. There was a point last season where Hurts was the front-runner to win the MVP before he got hurt. This season I expect more of the same from Hurts and this Eagles offense.

The Bad

In my mind, this Eagles squad doesn’t have a glaring weakness but there are some areas of concern. One of those areas is the running back position. Miles Sanders had his best season in Philadelphia in 2022 but the Eagles decided to let him walk. To fill his place they traded for D’Andre Swift and brought in Rashaad Penny. Both of those backs have shown glimpses but have battled injury issues over the past couple of seasons. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kenneth Gainwell takes over the lead-back position at some point.

The Prediction

The Eagles will once again be a threat in the NFC although there will be some bumps in the road. I have them losing 3 more games than last season but still winning the division. I believe losing both of their offensive and defensive coordinators will have an impact in 2023.

2023 Record: (11-6 1st in the Division)

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Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks-RB) | ADP-39 | RB-17

Kenneth Walker was one of the draft day steals in 2022 as he finished with 189 fantasy points (Half-PPR). Walker stepped in for the injured Rashaad Penny and never looked back. He was the clear lead back in Seattle and one of the reasons why the Seahawks finished in the top 10 of total points scored at 407. Despite all that, the Seahawks couldn’t resist taking Zach Charbonnet in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft. This is alarming, to say the least if you’re looking at targeting Walker this season.

Charbonnet is more of receiving back who will undoubtedly be on the field for passing situations. My fear is his usage will continue to increase as the season progresses thus taking away more opportunities from Walker. As of now, Walker is still the week 1 starter but there is cause for concern. For me, it’s not worth the risk to draft Walker as we don’t know yet how this backfield will shake out in 2023.

Kyle Pitts (Falcons-TE) | ADP-70 | TE-7

Big things were expected from Kyle Pitts in his second season with the Falcons. Pitts was coming off one of the best rookie seasons we have seen at the tight end position. To say his sophomore season was disappointing is an understatement. Pitts was never able to replicate his rookie season success and only surpassed 10+ fantasy points in Half-PPR 2 times. His season was cut short as he missed the last 6 games with an MCL injury.

Pitts is now looking for redemption heading into next season but are we in for another disappointment? I believe we are. You can’t deny Pitts has the physical traits to be a dominant tight end but there are other factors to consider. Pitts will most likely be catching passes from Desmond Ridder for the foreseeable future. Ridder and the Falcons offense will be run-heavy with the addition of rookie Bijan Robinson. I don’t expect to see a dynamic offense for Atlanta and Pitts is not worth the risk, even at his current ADP.

Dalvin Cook (Vikings-RB) | ADP-67 | RB-30

It took a while but Dalvin Cook finally found a new home. Cook signed a 1-year deal to join Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on August 14th. Cook has been a top-tier fantasy running back since 2019 and finished last season as RB8. While this seems like a great setup for Cook, I do have some concerns going forward.

The Jets offense will look different with Rodgers now under center. You can expect to see the short-passing game we have become accustomed to seeing from Rodgers in Green Bay. This system is all about timing and getting the ball quickly in the playmakers hands. How does this relate to Cook? Well now that Breece Hall looks to be coming back to full health, I believe he is the better fit for this offense. Picture Hall in an Aaron Jones type of role in this system. Cook should still be the main goal-line back but I am worried about his usage.

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RB D’Andre Swift Traded to the Philadelphia Eagles

Many people were wondering what the Lions were doing when they drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round when they already had D’Andrew Swift and signed David Montgomery. Now we know that D’Andre Swift had requested a trade and he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The rich keep getting richer as the Eagles now boast the most talented team in the NFL. In terms of fantasy performance, expect D’Andre Swift’s performance to dip as the Eagles are loaded in the RB position. The Eagles will most likely spread around the reps as they have Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott.

QB Jordan Love Gets Paid and is Now the Face of Green Bay

Now that the hoopla in Green Bay is over, the Jordan Love era finally begins in Green Bay. Love had waited his turn and can finally be called the starting QB of the Packers. His patience was rewarded when the Packers gave him a contract extension of up to $22.5 million, $13.5 million guaranteed. This offseason will be crucial for him and we will see which of the receivers are building a great connection with him.

WR Randall Cobb Follows Aaron Rodgers to New York

Another pal of Aaron Rodgers is going to the Jets as they have signed Randall Cobb to a one-year deal. This gives added security to the wide receiver core of the Jets as they have Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and other weapons. With the Jets using what Rodgers loves on offense, Cobb ill be a good mentor to the younger ones to get them up to speed with the playbook. I don’t expect much from Cobb with all the names ahead of him. But he could have some vintage performances with Rodgers.

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Will Levis with the First Pick?

Thanks to an anonymous Reddit post, Will Levis to the Carolina Panthers is gaining steam. The post is claiming that Levis is telling friends and family that Carolina is taking him with the first overall pick. Take the post with a grain of salt but it’s important to note that his betting odds have changed dramatically over the past 24 hours. I am not yet buying it as it seems like the Panthers are set on selecting Bryce Young. If Levis doesn’t go number 1, I expect him to go to he Colts.

Jalen Carter to the Seahawks is a Perfect Match

By now we all know the drama surrounding Jalen Carter and his off the field incidents. This will cause him to fall slightly but he is still the best prospect in this year’s draft. Seattle is the perfect fit for Carter and I projected him there in my latest mock draft. Pete Carroll is just what Carter needs as he will motivate and challenge him in the right ways.

Bijan Robinson in the Top 10?

Say what you want about taking a running back in the first round but Bijan Robinson is a different animal. He is the best overall offensive talent in this year’s draft. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield along with his explosiveness sets him apart from the other running backs. Robinson to the Eagles at 10 makes too much sense. The Eagles said goodbye to Miles Sanders this offseason and picked up Rashaad Penny. Penny will be their bruiser but Robinson will be the playmaking RB they are looking for.

Titans Trade for a Quarterback

Tennessee looks like they want to move on from Ryan Tannehill and they have the ammo to make a big draft day trade. We have talked about it before as rumors have Derrick Henry on the trade block. Henry as part of a draft day package should be enough to get the Titans into the top 10 and allow them to select a QB.

Commanders Trade Back Again

In last year’s draft the Washington Commanders traded back in the first round and it was on of the best moves of the draft. They ended up using the draft capital to pick up Jahan Dotson, Brian Robinson Jr. and Sam Howell. These three are the young core the Commanders are now building on as they look to the future. I expect them to trade back again and focus on a CB or an OL. Both are big needs for the Commanders going into next year.

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Los Angeles Chargers

Right off the bat we start with the obvious choice in the Chargers. Star running back Austin Ekeler has recently requested permission to seek a trade as he and the Chargers failed to agree on an extension. More than likely the two sides will come to terms but if they don’t the Chargers will have huge shoes to fill. Elliott would seem like a no-brainer move as he already has ties to new OC Kellen Moore and knows his system. Zeke is mainly a 1st and 2nd down back in this stage of his career that can thrive in goal-line situations.

Seattle Seahawks

Another good fit would be for Zeke to join the Seahawks. Seattle recently lost running back Rashaad Penny to the Philadelphia Eagles and have that hole to fill. Elliott could step in and immediately fill that role working along side rookie sensation Kenneth Walker. The Seahawks are a team on the rise with the surprise success of Geno Smith. I could see them making a playoff run next year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers look to be in rebuild mode. Leonard Fournette was recently released and they will have a new face at quarterback with Tom Brady retiring. I could see a fit here for Zeke as the Buccaneers have hired ex-Cowboys running back coach Skip Peete to their staff. Peete and Elliott seem to have a good relationship and with the departure of Fournette I could see the Buccaneers making the call.

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By: Jake Rajala

The dynasty fantasy football world is firing off on all cylinders right now. With that said, I’m going to highlight the pivotal running back spot – as I untwine five overrated dynasty running backs.

Rashaad Penny

The explosive Seattle Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny hasn’t quite been a consistent force in the league. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played more than 10 games in each of the past three seasons. Furthermore, He will be splitting the rock with the former Michigan State Spartan Kenneth Walker moving forward. Walker has seen more action with Penny already nursing injuries in training camp.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

I love the Kansas City Chiefs RB depth so much that I am not head over heels for RB1 Clyde Edwards-Helaire. I predict Jerick “Jet” McKinnon to be more involved and productive in the Chiefs offensive attack. Of course, Ronald Jones will be a game-changer in unique ways with the Patrick Mahomes-led offense. CEH, who still gets undeserved respect for the first-round badge and bunk bed with Mahomes, should be traded away.

Josh Jacobs

I don’t expect the Las Vegas Raiders to ship away Josh Jacobs, but I don’t believe he will elevate his game and ascend into the same caliber RB as Nick Chubb. Jacobs will share meat on the bone with the fresh rookie Zamir White. NFL.com analyst Lance Zeirlein dubbed White as a pivotal rookie for the Raiders. It’s also obvious that Davante Adams and a healthy Darren Waller will eat up a lot of attention in the Raiders passing game.

Alvin Kamara

It appears that Saints fans are happy that Alvin Kamara will not be punished by the league in 2022. However, the grim reaper will leave his mark on AK in the following season. Kamara is climbing up in age, in a loaded passing offense, and approaching a sure-fire suspension. Hence, It would be wise to find a lucrative offer to trade him away now.

James Robinson

The times are changing in the Jaguars back-field with a healthy Travis Etienne. The former Clemson RB missed the entire 2021 season, but he is back and ready to handle the load in Doug Pederson’s offense. Although, I don’t expect Etienne or Robinson to have the most stable success behind the Jags OL. I am less optimistic that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the veteran James Robinson. He is also still nursing an Achilles injury.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Seattle Seahawks have an exciting RB tandem with Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker, but their RB group still doesn’t have the best experience. It should be noted that they will not have the dual-threat magic from Russell Wilson and Chris Carson, who ran for 1,151 rushing yds in 2018 and 1,230 rushing yds in 2019, recently retired. Their likely lead RB Rashaad Penny registered 749 rushing yds, 6 rushing TDs, and averaged a personal best 6.3 YPC in 10 games last season. He was quite efficient, but he hasn’t recorded a top-end season (such as 1,000+ rushing yards) in his four-year career. Penny re-signed with the Hawks on a one-year deal worth $5.75 million dollars this off-season.

Pete Carroll brought in the Michigan State stud Kenneth Walker to be the RB2 and his fresh legs should be helpful for the long season. The questions surrounding him are: how quickly can he adapt to the scheme? Will he be a three-down RB? Can he be consistently effective behind the Seahawks OL?

Walker honestly has impressive power, but it’s unclear how dangerous he will be in his first season. I expect him to be at least a modest RB (around 600 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs), but I’m not sure if he will have a rookie season similar to Javonte Williams’s rookie campaign (903 rushing yds).

After the fascinating top two RBs in Seattle, the Hawks carry Deejay Dallas and Travis Homer. Dallas has registered 246 rushing yds and 4 rushing TDs in his two-year career. Homer had 338 total yds last season, but he may not be involved enough in 2022 to match his 2021 output.

The Seahawks had the 11th most rushing yds and the 10th most rushing TDs in 2021. I expect them to be a middle-of-the-pack rushing offense next season (with a 1,000+ rushing yard season from Carson), but there will likely be growing pains with Walker. With that enunciated, the Hawks RB tandem can improve w/ an improved OL in the 2023 off-season — which could spell a Top-10 rushing offense in the 2023 season.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Seattle Seahawks are one of the most polarizing NFL teams in OTAs. They will have a battle royale for the starting QB position – between the two young, rollercoaster quarterbacks in Drew Lock and Geno Smith. Their RB position is quite fascinating, as well. Per The Seattle Times, the Hawks are missing their top two veteran RBs at the moment in Rashaad Penny (minor hamstring injury) and Chris Carson (neck injury), so they’re leaning on a unique RB trio (DeeJay Dallas, Travis Holmer, and rookie Ken Walker) to handle the workload at the moment.

The Seahawks also witnessed Alfonso Smith leave for a position at the University of Miami. Per Field Gulls, he was the senior executive advisor for the Hawks and he opted to accept a position at Miami as an assistant in the Hurricanes athletic department. Smith is of course an alma mater of the U, as he was a RB stud for the Hurricanes.

The Seahawks may have some slight changes on their roster, but they will certainly strive to make magic happen with new faces this summer. According to Devin Csigi of Field Gulls, he forsees Tyreke Smith, Tariq Woolen, and Bo Melton being underrated players that could shine in 2022.

The Hawks will definitely need rookies to step up to the plate next season, but they will also really want Jamal Adams to return to his normal form. Adams set the single-season sack record for a safety in 2020, but he wasn’t able to provide success in any category last season. It would also help the Hawks defense if they could bring back Carlos Dunlap (8.5 sacks in 2021). If Dunlap doesn’t return, they will expect even more production from Uchenna Nwosu, who recorded 5 sacks a season ago.

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By: Faustino Felix

The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2022 NFL Draft bound to be one of the most scrutinized teams in it. That’s what happens when you trade your franchise legend, nine-time Pro Bowl, Super Bowl-winning quarterback. After making their selections, the Seahawks still walked away with this draft class:

1. Round 1, Pick 9: OT Charles Cross, from Mississippi State
2. Round 2, Pick 40: DE Boye Mafe, from Minnesota
3. Round 2, Pick 41: RB Kenneth Walker III, from Michigan State
4. Round 3, Pick 72: OT Abraham Lucas, from Washington State
5. Round 4, Pick 109: CB Coby Bryant, from Cincinnati
6. Round 5, Pick 153: CB Tariq Woolen, from UTSA
7. Round 5, Pick 158: DE Tyreke Smith, from Ohio State
8. Round 7, Pick 229: WR Bo Melton, from Rutgers
9. Round 7, Pick 233: WR Dareke Young, from Lenoir-Rhyne

Seattle’s draft class has been one of the most polarizing in the immediate aftermath of the draft, with grades ranging from an A- from PFF to a C from CBS’s Pete Prisco. For me, it’s unclear why.

General Manager John Schneider’s last few drafts have been characterized by big reaches, and by not addressing premium positions (widely considered to be left tackle, wide receiver, cornerback and edge rusher). The offensive line has been especially neglected. In the last five drafts, they have only taken one offensive lineman in the first three rounds.

2022 represents a big change in philosophy for a team that refuses to acknowledge they are in a rebuild. The Seahawks had nine selections, and eight of them went to premium positions (OT, WR, CB, EDGE), with the lone exception being running back Kenneth Walker, who was picked in the 2nd round. The ‘Hawks are setting up a solid core for whoever is their long-term answer at the quarterback position. And no, Drew Lock is not it.

Their first-round pick was offensive tackle Charles Cross, from Mississippi State. Picking him with the 9^th overall pick was a good move, as the next tackle selected was Trevor Penning, who represented a clear tier drop. Cross is ready to play at both tackle positions, as he’s already a great pass protector. OT Abraham Lucas, picked in the 3rd Round, is also a solid prospect that can eventually start as a tackle or guard.

The Seahawks will always run the ball under Pete Carroll, and they are poised to do so after drafting Walker out of Michigan State. With Chris Carson’s recovery from neck surgery as cloudy as ever, and the often-injured Rashaad Penny on top of the depth chart, Walker brings a physical, yet explosive style and can eventually become a three-down back if he works on his receiving game.

Boye Mafe, a player that got first round hype after shining bright in the senior bowl, is a great value at his draft position. He will come in and be a disruptive rotational pass rusher and can eventually develop into a starter at one of the game’s most important positions.

The Seahawks also added a lot of athleticism, with three of their selections having a sub 4.4 seconds 40-yard dash. These three players are RB Kenneth Walker, CB Tariq Woolen, and WR Bo Melton. Woolen in particular, is an intriguing prospect. While coming from a small school in UTSA, he ran his 40-yard dash in 4.26 seconds, along with a 42” vertical jump. Combined with that athleticism is imposing size and length for a cornerback (6’4”, 205 lb).

Woolen has an extremely high ceiling, and drafting him along with Coby Bryant is a great move where the Seahawks could get incredible return should one of them pan out. Bryant played for Cincinnati, where he won the Jim Thorpe award over his teammate, Sauce Gardner. He was also a 2-time First team All-AAC and a First Team All American. That production makes him a solid bet in the 4th round.

Bo Melton is a WR from Rutgers who could prove to be one of the steals of the draft. He didn’t get to showcase his full ability in college as he had subpar quarterback play, but he has the looks of someone who can contribute as a WR3/4 while being a solid special-teamer.

Regardless of your opinion on particular prospects, it’s hard to deny that Seattle had a solid plan, and made value picks all across the board. Of course, it’s still too early for a verdict on the 2022 Seahawks draft class, but so far, it looks like they set them up well for success in the post-Russell Wilson era.

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The NFL witnesses many fascinating running back introductions each season. The star New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara won Offensive Rookie of The Year as a third-round pick in 2017. Furthermore, the undrafted free agent Phillip Lindsay ran anger in 2019 for 1,037 yards and 9 touchdowns. There are many other dazzling and surprising running back legacies in the history of the sport.

With that enunciated, I’m going to outline five-strong breakout RB candidates. Let’s begin.

Rashaad Penny

I absolutely love Rashaad Penny’s outlook in 2022. Penny was utterly efficient each time he touched the football last season, as he averaged 6.3 YPC. He also knocked out 749 yards and 6 touchdowns in 10 games. The Hawks brought back the familiar Chris Carson, but Penny should definitely carry the load in the Russell Wilson-less offense. I expect Penny to be a Pro Bowl-caliber RB in the frigid NFC West.

Michael Carter

The New York Jets RB Michael Carter was definitely productive in a lackluster 2021 Jets offense, as he unleashed 964 total yards in 14 games. Carter should really be leaned on in a Jets RB group that offers Tevin Coleman as the second most talented ball carrier. I really expect Mekhi Becton to bounce back to at least his rookie form. Becton and the new guard Laken Tomlin should help Carter improve in his second season as the bell-cow RB.

Javonte Williams

The Broncos second year RB Javonte Williams should excel in the Melvin Gordan-less show. Williams was a rockstar as a rookie with 203 attempts last season (904 rushing yds). He unveiled 1,219 total yards last season, too. Williams is really going to shine behind an OL led by Garrett Bolles and an offense led by Russell Wilson in 2022.

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