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The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise — fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Seattle Seahawks.
Fantasy value — Kenneth Walker III, RB (ADP: 45.5, RB17)
Within the mosh pit chaos of fantasy, “The Third” should push, shove and displace the competition with conviction. The dude is a supreme thumper whose underlying profile suggests his best days are yet to come.
Last season when he was limited to only 11 games due to calf and ankle injuries, Walker finished outside the RB1 rankings in 12-team formats. However, his secondary numbers were nothing short of outstanding.
Among qualifying running backs, Walker landed inside the RB top 20 in yards created per touch (4.07), yards after contact per attempt (3.05) and total missed tackles forced (61). And all of that was accomplished working behind a permeable Seahawks line that was No. 24 in run-blocking efficiency, according to Pro Football Focus.
[ NFL Gamer's Guide: Fantasy forecasts and futures bets for 2025 season ]
As tracked at PlayerProfiler, Walker’s 17.7 expected fantasy points per game (RB6) in 2024 clearly proves where his upper-tier potential lies. Yes, Zach Charbonnet will likely siphon off roughly 25% to 30% of the opportunity share, but if the club’s trench work improves, Walker remains upright and Seattle’s defense lives up to the hype, RB1 numbers are bound to be achieved. Keep in mind: His middle-of-the-road strength of schedule isn’t overly intimidating.
So break out your favorite checkerboard flannel and suddenly-back-in-style baggy jeans, Seattle’s slammer is about to rock hard. Unmistakably, he’s one of the best RB2 values in the virtual game.
Prop pick — Jaxon Smith-Njigba OVER 925.5 receiving yards (-115, BetMGM)
Drop a quarter in Seattle’s slot machine, and jackpot sirens will inevitably sound.
The above line is tastier than a sweet maple bar (an Emerald City favorite). With DK Metcalf now in Pittsburgh, JSN is in line for bulk duty. His 24.1 team target share percentage last year could spike into the 26% to 28% range. Overall, it’s not farfetched to believe he lures 150-170 Sam Darnold looks.
Working from the slot on over 74% of his snaps last season, the former Buckeye banged out top-12 WR standings in total yards after catch (477), total route wins (248), total receptions (100) and total missed tackles forced (12). He’s remarkably reliable and slippery in the open field, and he’s sure to become Darnold’s receiving weapon of choice.
Most fantasy prognosticators have Smith-Njigba pegged for anywhere between 1,050-1,150 receiving yards — projections well north of the soft number offered at BetMGM. His success against man coverage and the presumed pumped volume say he annihilates the OVER. Unquestionably, this is one of this sportsbook donor's top season-long markets.
Team lean — Seahawks UNDER 8.5 regular-season wins (-150, Caesars)
Blast Mike McCready’s soaring guitar on “Black” in the background. If you’re looking to leave your investment in the absence of color, fading Seattle is the bankable play.
Apologies, Eddie Vedder.
According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, Mike Macdonald’s gang boasts the ninth-easiest strength of schedule in the NFL. The much-respected numbers cruncher gives them a 50% or greater win probability in nine games.
Seattle’s defense is a plus unit, but this naysayer isn’t completely buying into Darnold, especially in a highly competitive NFC West. Eight wins on the dot feels like an accurate lean.