Summer Sleeper: Seattle Seahawks
With fantasy season right around the corner, we’re continuing our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL. You can find all of the Summer Sleeper articles here.
These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.
We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” which include such such dynasty mainstay names as Toby Gerhart, Christine Michael or Cordarrelle Patterson. You’re all too good for that.
While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.
Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!
[am4show have=’p2;p3;p4;p5;p6;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]
Luke Willson, TE
When looking at Seattle’s roster, it’s pretty set in stone at most positions. Russell Wilson is entrenched as the long-term answer at quarterback. The running backs are set with Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin and Christine Michael. The receivers are interesting, but we already covered the “sleeperness” of Jermaine Kearse earlier this off-season. Instead, let’s focus on the tight end position and, more specifically, Luke Willson.
Willson was drafted by the Seahawks with pick #158 in last year’s NFL Draft. He was billed as a project by Seattle, but a proven athletic freak as indicated by his Rice pro day totals of a 4.51 forty, 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-2 broad jump. He wasn’t incredibly productive at Rice, where he posted a four-year career line of 78/986/9, including just nine catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns his Senior season. Those lackluster totals can be easily attributed to some injury issues and the fact he backed up Vance McDonald during most of his career. It’s obvious the Seahawks looked past the stat lines and really evaluated Willson as on his athletic ability and not his statistics.
After a standout performance in rookie mini-camp last year, Willson quickly emerged as a sleeper in dynasty circles. Unfortunately, his production didn’t match the hype last season as he posted just 20 catches for 272 yards and one touchdown after struggling to adapt to NFL blocking schemes and NFL personnel. However, when you watch him play, you can see the size/speed combination the Seahawks are salivating over. Willson is a natural pass catcher and has great athletic ability, especially for someone who is 6’5″ and 252 pounds. He still needs to work on his blocking and remain healthy for an entire season, but the talent is obvious. Remember, too, that tight ends take a long time to adapt to the NFL game and the learning curve is steep. Willson hasn’t played as much as other new NFL players, so it was obvious he was going to take some time to develop. If owners are disappointed in last year’s numbers, you can take advantage.
When you look over the depth chart of the Seahawks, Zach Miller is still the TE1. There was some speculation he would be let go, but he re-worked his deal to stay in Seattle this off-season. However, Miller hasn’t proven to be a reliable option in the passing game and has been a bit of a disappointment since coming over from Oakland. In fact, he’s only posted 96 catches in three seasons in Seattle. He’s used more as a blocker than a pass catcher at this point in his career and could easily be phased out if Willson continues to shine.
Willson also caught a break recently when Anthony McCoy was lost for the season with an injury. McCoy was his prime competition for the spot behind Miller and with him out of the picture, it’s time for Willson to really step up and become the player the Seahawks think he can be. If he can hone his blocking skills, it’s not inconceivable to think Willson will take over for Miller at some point this season. He’s a better athlete, a better pass catcher and could provide a new dynamic the Seahawks are looking for. In fact, there’s a lot of speculation the Seahawks decided not to sign Jermichael Finley not because of his injury, but more because they believe Willson will develop quickly into their tight end of the future.
The Seahawks are a run-first team and likely will be going forward in the short term. However, their defense will regress at some point (it simply has to) and Seattle will become more reliant on the passing game. When that happens, Willson looks to be one of the players to benefit. He could easily move up the ranks from relative unknown into the large group of players in the high-end TE2 range as early as this season. Russell Wilson will always need a safety valve when he scrambles and Willson could make a huge impact in that department. We currently have him as the TE25 in our rankings and his July ADP was as the TE34 – that means you can get him relatively cheaply if you believe he can become an impact player at the position. With the reports coming out of this year’s camp, I wouldn’t bet against him.
[/am4show]
Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
- JK Dobbins signs with the Chargers: The Dynasty Fantasy Football Impact - April 17, 2024
- Dynasty Running Back Danger Rankings: 24-17 - April 15, 2024
- Dynasty Running Back Danger Rankings: 32-25 - April 9, 2024
