Who could be Super Bowl sensational in Santa Clara? Leaving up to the Big Game between New England/Seattle, The Gaming Juice’s resident player props purveyor will examine various markets. Fade or follow? That’s up to you.
The Pick: Kenneth Walker III 110+ rushing/receiving yards (+129, DraftKings)
For a decent part of the regular season, fantasy managers who shelled out significant draft day capital on the Seattle rusher presumably thought an end-season league punishment was inevitable. Zach Chabonnet constantly stole valuable red-zone work. The injury imp was bound to strike. And useless yardage racked.
Through Week 10, he ranked barely among the RB2 class (RB24) in half-point PPR formats. Regret of sinking a Round 4 pick in his services immediately kicked in. Bitterness overcame many. Publicly adorning a replica of Chappell Roan’s Grammy dress felt inevitable. Your poor, poor nips.
However, the numbers improved down the homestretch. His jump wasn’t magnificent by any stretch, but the statistical explosion in Round 2 of the fantasy playoffs propelled the patient into a championship matchup. In Week 16, he rumbled through the Rams, totaling 164 yards and a score.
Value salvaged -- at least partially.
Peering past the mostly underwhelming surface data, Walker’s advanced profile was marvelous. He finished top-20 in yards after contact per attempt (3.13) and total yards created (848). Even more impressively, he ranked top-10 in juke rate, explosive rating and total evaded tackles according to PlayerProfiler. Also effective in the pass game, he reeled in 86.2% of his intended targets. On a per touch basis, he was the epitome of efficiency.
This NFL analyst isn’t the only person who’s been impressed with Walker’s impact. Earlier this week on BetMGM Tonight, former Bronco and current FOX analyst Mark Schlereth -- a man who knows a thing or two about trench execution -- expressed a similar energized sentiment about Mike McDonald’s RB1.
In Super Bowl 60, he’s destined to be an offensive focal point.
Since Week 12, New England is a terribly bland No. 17 in rush EPA defense. Overall, the defense has performed at a tremendous level, but containing the run is unquestionably its weakest point. With Charbonnet sidelined (ACL) and George Holani merely a pass-down change of pace, Walker is in line to receive upwards of 20-25 touches.
If you, like this -EV bettor, believe the 4.5-point favored Seahawks raise the Lombardi, Walker will be a major reason why.
For the fourth straight game he reached 110 combined yards.
Unleash him again, McDonald.