Week 16 Outlook
Availability
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Fred Jackson wants to "continue" his NFL career in 2016.
Fantasy Impact
Fred Jackson's NFL career is dwindling down as his production slipped dramatically in 2015. The 34-year-old running back finished last season with a mere 109 yards rushing on 26 carries. Jackson played more of a third-down back role in Seattle and was a receiving threat out of the backfield where his numbers were better in 2015. Jackson caught 32-of-41 targets for 257 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite Thomas Rawls missing over half of the game and DuJuan Harris fumbling, Fred Jackson's role in the Seahawks' offense did not expand much, with the veteran receiving just seven carries to Harris's 18.
Fantasy Impact
Seattle has been clear about their desire to keep Jackson in this specific role, and in practice it appears they have continued this pattern. DuJuan Harris is, at the moment, the Seahawks RB to target on waivers this week, not Jackson.
With Marshawn Lynch out, Fred Jackson's role in the Seahawks offense was unchanged, and Jackson was only a minor spell for Thomas Rawls, as well as the running back for many passing downs. Jackson carried the ball four times for 11 yards, and caught two passes for 11 more yards.
Fantasy Impact
Thomas Rawls got the start in place of Lynch, again. Jackson's role is set in place, and seems likely to remain as such regardless of who else is playing for the Seahawks' backfield. He does not need to be owned for fantasy purposes.
Fred Jackson played a prominent role in the passing game for the Seahawks in Week 7 as he hauled in four passes for 33 yards. However, he saw just one carry that went for two yards.
Fantasy Impact
Jackson will remain limited to passing-down work in Seattle as long as Marshawn Lynch is healthy. His hands and experience make him a decent PPR flex flier for fantasy owners, but outside of the deepest leagues there should be better options available going forward.
In a slight surprise based on the early week reports, Fred Jackson was active and played somewhat consistently against Cincinnati. He played almost exclusively on 3rd downs or clear passing situations, earning only five yards on his two carries, and adding three receptions for 29 yards.
Fantasy Impact
Jackson is not a fantasy relevant player in this offense, point blank. He firmly in the role of the 3rd down back for Seattle, and that role does not carry the value that it does for some teams who rely on dumpoffs and screens with more consistency than Seattle. With Marshawn Lynch out again, if Seattle was going to turn to the veteran Jackson, this would have been the week, and they did not expand his role. At this time there is no need to own him in most leagues.
