Dynasty Capsule: Seattle Seahawks

Ken Kelly

Every year we give our premium content members  a team-by-team, player-by-player look at the NFL season that was. The coverage was in-depth, but because the Dynasty Capsule series begins immediately after the season, we didn’t use it to discuss free agency or the draft. Come see us in early May once Mr. Irrelevant is off the board for another 32-article series giving you the same detailed discussion you’ll see below. Follow us next week as we track free agency as well.  As we head into that exciting time, enjoy our final off-season capsule that reiterates why our motto is, “There is no off-season.”

Quarterback

Russell Wilson (ADP 89.5, QB6)
Age: 30

It’s hard to really believe, but Wilson is already entering his eighth year as the starter in Seattle and is now 30 years old. You wouldn’t know it as he posted one of his best seasons last year with 3,448 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. This continues a streak that is nearly unheard of as Wilson has played every single game the past seven years in the Emerald City with at least 20 touchdown passes each year and never more than 11 interceptions in a single season. If you want consistency in your QB1, you get it with Wilson. While there may be some more explosive players out there like Patrick Mahomes, the durability and every week “plug and play” nature of Wilson makes him as safe a player to own on a dynasty team as any. While he’s starting to get up there in age, the Seahawks offensive line seems to be repaired and the fact he isn’t running for his life on every play should give owners confidence we’ll see a consistently “Dangeruss” Wilson for many more years to come.

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Paxton Lynch (ADP 239, QB49)
Age: 25

The former first round pick of the Broncos was a colossal bust in Denver. He’s resurfaced in Seattle, though there are no guarantees he’s going to end up being the backup when the season starts as the Seahawks will likely target a signal caller in the draft or through free agency. While Lynch could open the season as the clipboard holder, he’s simply not shown enough to be dynasty relevant at any point in his career. In fact, this could be his last stop. Even at just 25 years old, Lynch clearly belongs on dynasty waiver wires.

Running Back

Chris Carson (ADP 84.4, RB37)
Age: 24

What a strange journey this has been for Carson. After being a seventh round draft pick (hand-picked by Pete Carroll), Carson burst on to the scene in 2017 with 208 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards on just 56 touches behind the worst offensive line in football. Unfortunately, a lower leg injury derailed his rookie season and the Seahawks seemingly drafted his replacement in Rashaad Penny in last year’s first round of the NFL Draft, throwing cold water on Carson’s dynasty value in the process.

Not so fast, my friend!

Carson entered last year’s training camp as a man on a mission and simply outplayed every other Seattle running back to take hold of the starting position. He solidified the faith the Seahawks had in him by posting 1,151 rushing yards and scoring nine touchdowns as the workhorse back for Seattle. Carson showed speed, power, patience and agility in the process.

As we enter 2019, rumors are again swirling that Penny is going to create a “1-2 punch” at the position with Carroll himself singing Penny’s praises recently. While that sounds well and good, Carroll is notorious for stirring up competition and motivating his players to earn their starting positions each season. If the past has shown us anything, it’s the fact Carson will be very difficult to keep off the field. With an ADP of 84 as the RB37, that could scream bargain in dynasty leagues.

Rashaad Penny (ADP 78, RB27)
Age: 23

With an ADP and ranking ahead of Carson, it’s clear the dynasty community either has high hopes for Penny or simply cannot accept the reality of last year’s situation. Still, Penny wasn’t bad at all when he carried the ball, he was just overshadowed by Carson throughout the year and struggled to grasp the offense and stay healthy enough to play more than 180 total snaps. With a yards per carry average of 4.9 and a game with 108 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries, it’s clear Penny has ability and showed some good flashes last season. Dynasty owners are certainly hoping Penny can get a fresh start this year and at least carve out a time share with Carson. The good news for Penny is Mike Davis is likely to walk in free agency, giving him one fewer ball carrier to worry about.

With an uncertain future and high draft pedigree, Penny is one of the most polarizing players to own in dynasty leagues. As part of a mostly disappointing class of first round running backs drafted in last year’s rookie drafts, he simply still has a lot to prove. At this point, he’s a hold in dynasty leagues as a player who could bust or end up cashing in on his potential. Trading him away for pennies on the dollar wouldn’t be advised.

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JD McKissic (ADP 232)
Age: 25

If there’s a sleeper in the Seattle backfield, it’s likely McKissic. While not a player to target heavily in shallow leagues at the moment, he could end up being Seattle’s third down back and carve out some value in PPR leagues. While his 2018 season was mostly lost to a Jones fracture in his foot, it’s curious he was activated and played on third downs in the Seahawks’ playoff loss against Dallas – that in itself shows Seattle does have faith in the formerly undrafted runner from Arkansas State.

CJ Prosise (ADP 237, RB86)
Age: 24

It’s hard to believe Prosise is still just 24 years old. While he’s not short on talent, his durability has been an unmitigated disaster over his three years in Seattle. In fact, he’s had just 42 carries and 33 catches while playing in a total of just 12 of 32 possible games since being a third round pick. At this point, Prosise is likely to be released, despite being owed just $475,000 this season. He may get another shot in reality, but he’s likely out of chances in dynasty circles.

Bo Scarbrough (ADP 239, RB93)
Age: 22

The former Alabama bruiser failed to make an impression with Dallas after being a seventh round draft pick and was subsequently released by the Cowboys and picked up by Seattle. While currently buried on the depth chart, any Seattle running back should be monitored in the off-season.

Wide Receiver

Doug Baldwin (ADP 85, WR32)
Age: 30

A relative ironman at the position, Baldwin suffered through multiple nagging injuries en route to a disappointing 50/618/5 season last year. The eight year veteran has been a rock at the position in dynasty circles for years, posting 493 receptions, 6,563 yards and 49 touchdowns as Russell Wilson’s most reliable target. After off-season knee and shoulder surgeries, it’s fair to wonder if Baldwin’s best days are behind him. However, if he returns healthy, his ADP will quickly rise, making him a prime off-season target for contending dynasty teams.

Tyler Lockett (ADP 65, WR36)
Age: 26

After signing a a three-year, $30.7 million deal in the off-season, many believed the Seahawks overpaid to keep Lockett in tow. He proved doubters wrong by posting his best season featuring 57 catches for 965 yards and ten touchdowns, scoring in six of the last seven regular season games. The fourth year wideout seemed to have a true breakout season and averaged a healthy 16.9 yards per catch in the process. There is concern about Lockett as he still didn’t catch more than 60 passes, despite Baldwin struggling mightily. In addition, ten touchdowns is tough to repeat. However, Lockett is a great dynasty asset who seems to be ascending. Another solid year of production would have dynasty owners truly believing in his arrival.

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David Moore (ADP 226, WR87)
Age: 24

It seems the Seahawks always have a surprising player emerge and Moore, a 2017 seventh round pick, made a huge impression last year. With 26 catches, 445 yards and five touchdowns, Moore established himself as a reliable pass catcher and possible starter down the road. While his production is sure to be hit and miss with a healthy Baldwin back this season, Moore remains an intriguing stash at the end of a deep dynasty roster as long as the Seahawks don’t add too many fresh faces to the receiving corps.

Jaron Brown (ADP 240)
Age: 29

After landing a free agent deal with Seattle and garnering a ton of hype last off-season, Brown was a massive disappointment with just 14 catches for 166. While he salvaged a little value with five touchdown receptions, it’s safe to say he failed to meet expectations in both reality and fantasy last season. It’s quite possible the Seahawks part ways with him this off-season. Brown has little to no dynasty value at this point.

Amara Darboh (ADP 240)
Age: 25

A former third round pick of the Seahawks, Darboh was one of their final cuts last year, only to be picked up by the Patriots, subsequently released and resurface back in Seattle. Darboh hasn’t shown much in his two years but has age on his side. While certainly someone to be left on dynasty waiver wires, Darboh is a player to monitor should Baldwin not make it back to full strength and Brown be shown the door.

Tight End

This position has been a bit of a wasteland in Seattle for some time. In fact, the Seahawks failed to even make Jimmy Graham that relevant during his tenure in Seattle. With a depth chart of Nick Vannett, Ed Dickson and Will Dissly, Seattle’s tight end corps isn’t exactly keeping the NFC West up at night. Dissly seems to have the best potential of the bunch, but a torn patella tendon ended what looked to be a very promising rookie season. It’s fair to wonder just how well he’ll recover and if the Seahawks will make a change at the position.

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ken kelly