Scott Engel is in his 11th season as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 10-time nominee, including being a finalist for the 2020 FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year Award, which he won previously. Scott was the No. 1 most accurate fantasy football draft ranker at tight end and No. 6 at running back on fantasypros.com in 2021. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at The Game Day this season.
This week, the fantasy football roster and lineup maneuvering will become more challenging, as bye weeks now appear on the NFL schedule. We help you go deeper for possible streaming and replacement options in our Week 6 fantasy football guide. This week's column begins with a look at two Seahawks players who can be key fantasy starters for your team for the rest of the 2022 season.
Analysis is based on PPR formats and players are listed in order of preference for rostering or starting in the positional sections of the column.
Seahawks Fantasy Insider Spotlight: Kenneth Walker III And Geno Smith
The Seahawks' 2022 second-round pick at running back and starting quarterback generated the most significant fantasy buzz at their respective positions early this week. If your league's waiver process already ran, Walker was the hottest pickup of the week if he was available, and Smith was the top add at QB.
Walker was widely rostered in many leagues through Week 5, but was still available in some leagues. He was available in 32 percent of CBSSports.com leagues, but he was available in over 50 percent of leagues on Yahoo Sports and NFL.com. If you can still acquire Walker on waivers on Wednesday night, spend most of your Free Agent Budget on him or try to trade into the top waiver spot in leagues that use rolling waivers. He is a dynamic talent who can be a difference-making fantasy performer in 2022.
The 69-yard touchdown run at New Orleans was just one glimpse of Walker's fantasy football upside and significant promise. With more touches, you will see him unfurl more of his considerable potential. Walker has good vision and he is elusive. He can make defenders miss, and once he gets to the second level, Walker can take off for big gainers as we saw on Sunday. Walker can be an electric runner and he can become a locked-in fantasy starter in the weeks ahead.
The play of Smith will continue to open up running room for Walker and DeeJay Dallas, who should now be added as further fantasy roster depth at RB if you can acquire Walker. After five weeks, Smith is the most pleasant fantasy football surprise at the quarterback position, ranking as QB6. With 97.9 fantasy points on NFL.com, Smith has already outscored the likes of Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Tom Brady.
A five-week sample size is certainly enough to declare Smith worthy of regular fantasy starting consideration. He has averaged 24.8 Fantasy points over his past three games. Smith has arrived as a quality Fantasy QB option because he is making good decisions, highly accurate throws and is being provided with solid pass blocking. He obviously has one of the best WR tandems in the league and Smith will also work in a timely dart to other targets such as Will Dissly in key passing situations.
If you added Smith on waivers this week or still have an opportunity acquire him as the top free agent target at QB, he is a good starting option against Arizona, which ranks 25th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to quarterbacks. If Walker and Smith are on other rosters in your league, both of them are recommended trade targets. Walker's fantasy appeal should only rise in the weeks ahead and Smith can be a comfortable and consistent starting choice.
Fantasy Football Advice: Week 6
Running Backs
-Start David Montgomery. He returned to action last week and had four receptions for 62 yards. Washington has allowed three receiving touchdowns to RBs, tied for the most in the league. Montgomery has been running hard this season and his overall numbers may improve (82 yards from scrimmage last week) in his second game since coming back from an ankle injury.
-Start J.K. Dobbins. The Giants rank 25th in FFPG allowed to running backs. Dobbins had two TDs from scrimmage in Week 4 and averaged 5.5 yards per carry in Week 5. He should start to deliver increased fantasy production this week as he settles comfortably back into the Ravens offense in his fourth game played in 2022.
-Start Mike Boone as a flex option or bye-week plug-in. The Chargers have allowed the most Fantasy Points Per Game to running backs, and Boone flashed some playmaking ability with a 34-yard reception and an 18-yard run last week.
-Trade for Travis Etienne. He had 114 yards from scrimmage in Week 5 and Etienne has a good Week 6 matchup for a dual threat performer. The Colts have allowed the second-most receiving yards (269) to RBs. We should see a good outing from Etienne this week and a big breakout game may be coming very soon.
-Trade for Brian Robinson. He appears to be on the verge of becoming the true No. 1 ball carrier for the Commanders. You can deal for Robinson and start him this week. The Bears are 29th in allowing rushing yards to RBs (622) and are 24th in allowing FFPG to RBs.
-Add Jaylen Warren. He had 63 yards from scrimmage in Week 5 and he is capable of adding a spark to the Pittsburgh offense. If Warren's workload increases at all in the upcoming weeks, he will merit fantasy consideration for flex usage.
-Add Jerick McKinnon. He does work in a time share in the Kansas City backfield, but McKinnon can make the most of his touches. He had 72 yards on 10 rushing/receiving attempts in Week 6. McKinnon can be a viable fill-in option for injured players or guys on a bye.
Wide Receivers
-Start Jakobi Meyers. In his last two games played, Meyers has 16 receptions on 21 targets for 206 yards. He will continue to see a heavy amount of targets as the clear No. 1 wide receiver in the Denver passing game.
-Start Darius Slayton. The veteran wide receiver has familiarity with Daniel Jones and stepped forward to catch six passes for 79 yards in Week 5. He should be Jones' top target against the Ravens, who allow the most receptions (79) and second-most receiving yards (1,083) to WRs.
-Start Darnell Mooney. He had a 39-yard highlight reel catch in Week 5, and Mooney has a good matchup in Week 6. Washington is 28th in FFPG allowed to WRs, and the Commanders have allowed seven TD receptions to the position, tied for the second-most in the league. Mooney can be utilized as a starter if you need a WR to stream this week.
-Trade for Chris Godwin. He caught all six of his targets for 61 yards in Week 5, and Godwin should start to display more of his best form soon. This week, Tampa Bay faces Pittsburgh, which allows the most FFPG to WRs. This could be the week when we see Godwin have his best game of the season so far.
-Trade for Drake London. The very promising Atlanta rookie averaged 17.1 FFPG in the first three weeks of the season and should start to pick up that type of pace again soon.
-Add Alec Pierce. We have mentioned the Colts rookie before in this space, and the window is closing for you to acquire him if he is still available. He caught eight passes for 81 yards in Week 5 and Pierce is averaging 14.8 yards per reception. He may soon be regarded as a regular fantasy WR3 option and Pierce should get immediate starting consideration if you are able to acquire him.
-Add Devin Duvernay. The Ravens are attempting to use the dangerous playmaker more often. He had eight touches for 78 yards from scrimmage in Week 5, and Duvermay also totaled three receiving TDs in his first three games of the season. Consider him as a streamer for Week 6 if he lands on your roster.
-Add Marquez Valdes-Scantling. He caught six passes for 90 yards on Monday night. We are still looking for a Chiefs WR to emerge as a worthy fantasy play, and "MVS" may have signaled he can become a more consistent target for Patrick Mahomes.
-Add Randall Cobb. He caught seven passes for 99 yards last week and it is possible he can build on that outing and function as a fantasy fill-in option. Aaron Rodgers obviously has a long-established rapport with Cobb and may continue to look to him as a trusted target on key downs.
Quarterbacks And Tight Ends
-Trade for Justin Herbert if you can. He is coming off a 14.4 point performance and those who currently roster Herbert may be open to moving him. If QB help is needed and your roster is deep at a position that another player needs to improve at, a deal may be possible.
-Start Matthew Stafford. The Panthers rank 30th in the league in sacks with eight, so Stafford should have ample time to locate his targets this week. The Carolina defense will spend a lot of time on the field and the Rams will be primed to stop a two-game losing skid.
-Add Jared Goff if he is released in your league. He is on a bye and coming off a 5.8 point performance at New England. But he is a strong streaming option in home games. He has scored 26-plus fantasy points in two games at Ford Field this season, where he should be frequently solid and as you can see, sometimes he will post outstanding totals.
-Add Hayden Hurst. He has scored in his last two games, and Hurst has three games with five-plus receptions so far this season.
-Start Will Dissly. The Cardinals allow the second most FFPG and receiving yards (436) to TEs. Dissly is a regular TD threat and may also roll up some quality yardage totals this week.
-Start Evan Engram. The Colts have allowed four TD receptions to TEs, second-most in the NFL, and Engram caught six passes on 10 targets for 69 yards in Week 5.
For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit The Game Day for his weekly sleepers and more waiver recommendations.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from Week 5 vs. the New Orleans Saints on October 9, 2022 at Caesars Superdome. Eye On The Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Safety Ryan Neal supports the Seattle Mariners and wears their cap on Friday as the Seahawks flew to New Orleans while the baseball team opened the playoffs in Toronto.
Seahawks players board the Delta charter flight to New Orleans.
Seahawks players deplane after arriving in New Orleans late Friday evening.
Members of the equipment staff load equipment from the belly of the plane into trucks that will take the Seahawks gear to the stadium for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.
Safety Ryan Neal points up to the light ring in the Caesars Superdome as he and cornerback Michael Jackson examine the stadium on the team's Saturday visit.
On Sunday monring, safety Josh Jones is greeted by members of the coaching staff on the way to breakfast in the team's meal room.
Linebacker Josh Onujiogu supports the Mariners as he walks to the buses the day after the Mariners won their wild-card round series over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Quarterback Geno Smith walks to the bus.
Geno Smith warms up near midfield in the Caesars Superdome. Hours later, Smith would launch a touchdown strike to Tyler Lockett from nearly the same spot on the field.
Seahawks president Chuck Arnold signs a Seahawks Crucial Catch flag before the game. During the month of October, the NFL amplifies it's misson to fight cancer through early detection and risk reduction.
Seahawks fans had a message for quarterback Geno Smith, echoing his statement from earlier in the season.
Seahawks offensive lineman Stone Forsythe prepares in the locker room.
Members of the equipment staff Dan Cramer and Austin Bui help Stone Forsythe don his shoulder pads in the locker room.
Linebackers coach John Glenn reviews notes in the cramped visitors locker room.
A fan takes a photo with Seahawks legend K.J. Wright on the sideline before the game.
Running backs Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Walker III talk on the field during pregame.
Defensive linemen including from left, Quinton Jefferson, Shelby Harris and Bryan Mone go through their pregame warmups.
The NFL Crucial Catch sticker is visible on the back of linebacker Jordyn Brooks's helmet.
Quarterback Geno Smith hands off to running back Rashaad Penny during the final phase of pregame warmups.
Cornerback Michael Jackson focuses in the locker room in the quiet moments before the team heads to the field.
Seattle's Quinton Jefferson wore cleats with the number of Seattle Mariners Hall-of-Famer Ken Griffey, Jr.
Seahawks offensive linemen wait to leave the locker room for kickoff.
Seahawks captains Al Woods, Nick Bellore and Quandre Diggs (not shown) watch the opening coin toss.
Defensive tackle Al Woods drags down New Orleans' Taysom Hill.
Cornerback Coby Bryant breaks up a pass early in the game.
Seattle's DK Metcalf turns and looks for the end zone on this reception from Geno Smith that resulted in a touchdown.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III picks up the blitz at left and quarterback Geno Smith launches a touchdown strike to DK Metcalf.
Seahawks defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt consults with head coach Pete Carroll on the sidelines.
Seattle's Coby Bryant jars the football loose on a tackle by Ryan Neal.
Seattle's Tariq Woolen scoops up a fumble caused by teammate Coby Bryant (8) as the defense scrambles towards the loose ball.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett catches the first of two touchdown passes from Geno Smith.
Seattle defenders fly in to make a tackle.
Offensive line coach Andy Dickerson gives instructions on the sidelines.
Seahawks celebrate Tariq Woolen's interception.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett catches his second touchdown from Geno Smith.
Tyler Lockett falls into the end zone with his second touchdown of the game.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III heads to the end zone on a 69-yard run as Tyler Lockett begins the celebration behind him.
Seattle's Kenneth Walker III leaves all defenders in the dust on his 69-yard rushing touchdown in the Superdome.
After the game, Pete Carroll addresed the team in the locker room.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll takes on a serious tone when asked about the injury to running back Rashaad Penny in his post game press conference.
