KW3 On The Field - RB1 In Our Hearts
Welcome back to the Truth Serum! Just a quick disclaimer that this was written prior to yesterday’s game.
Kenneth Walker III who was selected with the 41st overall pick (Round 2 Pick 9) during the 2022 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks has erupted on to the NFL gridiron scene over the last few weeks. Over the past three weeks (Week 5 – Week 7) he has totaled 62.50 fantasy points in full PPR leagues; additionally, during that three week span he has totaled 352 yards on 52 carry attempts, 4 rushing touchdowns and 2 receptions on 3 attempts for 13 yards. Week 6, KW3 scored 19 fantasy points with a stat line of 69 percent snap count, 21 carries for 97 yards and 1 touchdown, which gave him a RB8. He followed that stellar performance up with a Week 7 RB3 finish – with an insane stat line of 73 percent snap count, 23 carries for 167 yards (7.26 YPC) and 2 touchdowns. It's obvious he is now the RB1 and workhorse for Seattle and has become a every week must start for fantasy football, regardless of league PPR value.
As stated previously, Kenneth Walker III was selected with the 41st overall pick in the 2022 draft by the Seattle Seahawks from Michigan State University where his 2021 season gave us a stat line of 263 rushing attempts, totaling 1636 yards (6.2 YPC) and 18 touchdowns. Thus, him winning the 2021 Walter Camp Award, Doak Walker Award, Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year Award and being an unanimous First Team All American. Talk about racking up the hardware, and it is easy to assume that they are not the last of the trophies to be added to his shelf. Before running everyone over during the 21 season, KW3 spent 2 years at Wake Forest University – during his 2019 season as a freshman he had 579 yards on 90 attempts and 4 touchdowns which he followed up with again 579 yards on 119 attempts and 13 touchdowns during his sophomore 2020 season.
He did forgo his senior season and Michigan State's bowl game to prepare for the NFL combine, where he did not disappoint – posting a 4.38s 40 yard dash, a 34 inch vertical and a 10 foot 2 inch broad jump. Standing only 5’9 and weighing 211 pounds, Walker is a powerful compact running back with a strong base. He also has the uncanny ability to quickly read running lanes in any direction and create something out of nothing which are both emphasized by his quick feet and agile movements. To be honest, the only area for improvement is in the passing game, which Pete Carroll and the Seahawks staff can develop. Most importantly though, regarding fantasy football production is his ability to handle the full workhorse load, and the man has hands like glue having only one single fumble the entire 2021 season at MSU.
The future is bright and the stars are aligned for KW3 to be an every down back and weekly must start for years to come. Here is to the lucky ones who got him this year and the ones who draft him in round one or two next year.