Scott Engel is finishing up his eighth season as the Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Check out more of his work at RotoBaller.com and windailysports.com and listen to Scott on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. In 2019, Scott won his third consecutive championship in his most prestigious Fantasy Football league that includes other experts and high-level players. He overcome a 1-6 start and won his next 10 games, including the playoffs, for his third straight title.
As the Seahawks open up in the NFL Playoffs, it may be a time of celebration for you. Hopefully you are reveling in championship glory, and you are enjoying your rewards. There are many unique ways to use your winnings. Enjoy a nice steak dinner with the family, purchase that jersey you wanted from the Seahawks Pro Shop, or even make a trip to Philadelphia to support the team in the Wild Card Round. One thing for sure, though, that we recommend in this space, is to officially signify your victory with an act of generosity.
I have won my most prestigious and competitive league three years in a row now. In each of the last two seasons, I showed my appreciation for the players that helped me win by donating a portion of my winnings to their charities of choice. It is a great way to say "thank you" to the players who made our victories possible and help those in need at the same time. It shows the players that we truly appreciate their role in making our great interactive game possible. It is an honorable show of respect and makes a real impact on the lives of others.
Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett, for example, are two players who helped Fantasy Football participants to league championships this season. Wilson was the third-highest scoring quarterback in Fantasy this year. Lockett was No. 13 at wide receiver. They helped many Fantasy teams score key victories in 2019. No matter whether a player helps you earlier in the season or in the playoffs, it's a recommended move to show you are grateful to them with a charitable donation. You can even spread the donations among a few players who helped you win at different times of the season.
This season, I will be making a charitable donation to the Why Not You Foundation, which is represented by Russell Wilson, who was my Fantasy QB on a team that started 1-6 and never lost again on the way to winning the championship. Going undefeated after Week 7 through the Super Bowl was a thrilling feat and I am very glad to share the joy with Wilson and the Why Not You Foundation (@WhyNotYouFdn), which motivates, empowers and prepares today's youth
For those who were spurred to many key regular season Fantasy victories by Lockett, you can make a donation to the Light it Up Foundation, which supports youth. We strongly encourage you to donate to charities of players on other NFL teams as well. Supporting the charities of players from more than one team only spreads the positive message more. You can divide your donations among two to three player charities if you like.
Even if you only played for bragging rights, making a donation to the charity of any player who was part of your championship run at any time is an admirable way to show the players that we as a community of Fantasy enthusiasts very much appreciate those who make our game so much fun to play every week.
Season in Review and 2020 and Keeper Perspectives
Quarterbacks
On NFL.com. Lamar Jackson outscored the next highest QB by almost 80 points. He must be considered a first-round pick next season, because even though the position is deep, no other player offers his combination of passing and rushing upside. He should also be considered a lock as a keeper because he is so unique in terms of how he produces fantasy points. … Dak Prescott finished No. 2 at QB, but still may not be drafted Top 5 at the position next year, as Dallas seems to play their best when running the ball. … Josh Allen finished No. 6 at QB and is a rising dual threat who should be picked as a QB1 next year and has appeal as a third keeper. …. Kyler Murray finished No. 8 at QB and could be headed for an even better finish in 2020.
Seahawks Fantasy Slant: Wilson has finished inside the Fantasy Top 10 in every season of his career. He will be drafted as a Top 5 QB next year.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffery had one of the best Fantasy seasons of all time with 471.20 points, and you should not hesitate to try and trade up to the top spot in a 2020 draft to secure his rights. …. Aaron Jones had a breakout season, totaling 19 TDs and finishing second at the position. He will be a second-round selection next year and should certainly be retained as a first or second keeper. …. Derrick Henry finished fifth at RB. as he was more consistent and spectacular than ever before. For the first time in his career, he will be a first-rounder in Fantasy leagues next year, and Henry is a prime keeper. … Dalvin Cook finished sixth at the position and can be the guy to rival McCaffrey's production if he can stay healthy. He will be a highly coveted pick in the second half of the first round next season.
Seahawks Fantasy Slant: Chris Carson finished as a RB1, 12th at the position. His total of 232.80 points did not include all of the final two weeks, showing how highly productive he was this season. Carson truly was a must-start Fantasy RB1 through Week 15.
Wide Receivers
Michael Thomas finished nearly 100 points ahead of anyone else at WR, and will be a No. 2 overall pick behind McCaffrey in many 2020 drafts. … As projected by many Fantasy analysts, Chris Godwin had a big breakout year and finished No. 2 at the position. He should be a second-round pick next year and is a top WR choice as a keeper, maybe as a No. 2 If you also roster a top RB. …. Allen Robinson was very impressive in his efforts to finish eighth overall, and could place higher next season as the Bears offense may improve. He's a quality third keeper. …. DeVante Parker was maybe the biggest surprise of the year, finishing at No. 11 at WR. He will be drafted as a high-end Fantasy WR2 next season. He should also be considered as a third keeper.
Seahawks Fantasy Slant: Lockett was one of the premier WRs in Fantasy during the first half of the schedule and showed up big in Week 15 in the Fantasy playoffs. … DK Metcalf scored 187.10 points on NFL.com as a rookie and will be drafted as a very promising Fantasy WR3 next season.
Tight Ends
Darren Waller was a revelation at TE, a late-round draft pick who finished third at the position. He should be drafted in the Top 6 at TE next year. … Mark Andrews arrived as a must-start player as projected and finished fifth at TE. He should be a Top 5 choice at the position next season and is worth strong consideration as a third keeper. … Mike Gesicki finished 12th and could be headed for his true breakout season in 2020. … Noah Fant could be the guy to surge into Fantasy prominence next season.
Seahawks Fantasy Slant: Jacob Hollister emerged as a regular Fantasy starter during the second half of the schedule. He burst onto the scene in Weeks 9 and 10, when he totaled nearly 40 Fantasy points in two games and became a top Fantasy free agent pickup.
The Season is Not Over!
You can continue to play Fantasy Football during the NFL postseason by signing up for the NFL.com Playoff Challenge or getting involved in a NFL Playoffs league. In each format, the key is to determine which players will be available to you for the most games. Here are some prime choices for all formats. You must heavily base your picks on who you believe will go deepest into the postseason from the Wild Card Round or from the Divisional Playoffs to the Super Bowl.
Quarterbacks: Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, Jimmy Garoppolo, Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill.
Running Backs: Alvin Kamara, Raheem Mostert, Aaron Jones, Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, Damian Williams, Travis Homer.
Wide Receivers: Michael Thomas, Tyreek Hill, Emmanuel Sanders, Davante Adams, John Brown, Tyler Lockett.
Tight Ends: Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Jared Cook, Jacob Hollister, Jonnu Smith.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 17 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson enters the locker room on Sunday afternoon.
Offensive guard D.J. Fluker makes a fashionable entrance on game day.
On the field, Seahawks linebacker and defensive captain Bobby Wagner goes through his early warmups under the watchful eye of defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr.
Wearing his Bose headphones, quarterback Russell Wilson takes the field for his early warmup throws.
Receiver David Moore leaps to make a catch during warmups.
Seahawks safety Lano Hill warms up on the field during pregame.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin stretches as he prepares for the game.
Seahawks newly-signed running back Robert Turbin greets former NFL player Chad ÒOchocincoÓ Johnson on the field before the game.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald wore these custom shoes honoring the NBAÕs now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics during his pregame routine.
Seahawks Marshawn Lynch and Luke Willson during pregame.
Seahawks defensive captain Bobby Wagner makes an impassioned speech to the team before they take the field.
Quarterback Russell Wilson greets teammates as they prepare for pregame introductions.
Marshawn Lynch, who only recently re-signed with the team, prepares to be introduced during pregame.
Running backs Travis Homer, Robert Turbin and Marshawn Lynch entered the field as a trio during pregame introductions.
Early in the game, Seahawks Quinton Jefferson and Rasheem Green pressure 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, resulting in a sack.
12s bring the noise for the defense during the first half.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers sacks 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the first quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson fires a pass in the first half.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch found room for a five-yard gain on his first carry back with the team.
Seahawks defensive end Ziggy Ansah drags down 49ers ballcarrier Tevin Coleman for no gain.
Former teammates with the Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch and the 49ers Richard Sherman chat during a break in the action.
Seahawks running back Travis Homer finds running room during the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf catches a pass along the left sideline during the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson spots receiver Tyler Lockett crossing over the middle in the second quarter.
Receiver Tyler Lockett is brought down at the end of a 10-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright hits 49ers running back Matt Breida in the backfield that was ruled an incomplete pass after being reviewed by officials.
defensive line coach Clint Hurtt discusses strategy during the break.
Defensive players sit and listen as assistant coach Clint Hurtt discusses strategy during the break.
Offensive line coach Mike Solari listens as guard D.J. Fluker talks during halftime.
Seahawks quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith review plays on their Microsoft Surface with quarterbacks coach Dave Canales.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright brings down 49ers tight end George Kittle in the third quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles away from 49ers defender Nick Bosa.
12s were loud all night during the regular season finale.
Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch finds open space to the right during the second half.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett celebrates after his touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Travis Homer looks for room amid a trio of 49ers defenders.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett looks for more yardage after a reception in the fourth quarter as Seattle mounted a comeback.
SeattleÕs DK Metcalf ends up just short of the goal line during a fourth quarter drive.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch goes over the top of the blocks by Jamarco Jones and Mike Iupati to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
This young 12 Òall-inÓ as the Seahawks mounted a second half comeback.
SeattleÕs DK Metcalf uses his size and jumping ability to catch this 14-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin makes a tackle late in the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson looks for a receiver on the final drive of the game.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister is unable to make a reception in the end zone late in the game as he is hit by a 49ers defender.
On the Seahawks final play from scrimmage, tight end Jacob Hollister caught a pass near the goal line. Seahawks players and coaches react as the replay is shown on the big screen and officials reviewed the call.
Seahawks players Russell Wilson, Bradley McDougald, and Tyler Lockett listen to head coach Pete Carroll inside the quiet locker room after the game.
Seahawks veteran receiver Tyler Lockett speaks to the team after the game.
The Seahawks gather around quarterback and captain Russell Wilson in the locker room after the game.
