Fantasy Football Player Notes

Kenneth Walker III has been keeping his head above water from a fantasy perspective recently. But the Seattle running back has not exactly dominated the landscape either. Walker III has finished outside the top 12 running backs in fantasy points in five of his last six games. The good news is that Walker III is still getting a huge chunk of the work in the Seattle backfield. He is averaging 16 carries in his last three games. In that same span, Zach Charbonnet has just nine carries for only 15 rushing yards. This week, Seattle hosts the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has not allowed a touchdown in their last two games. But they have allowed running backs to accumulate high yardage totals against them. In their last three outings, opposing running backs have totaled 447 scrimmage yards. That might be enough to boost Walker III into the top 12 this week, especially considering that there are six NFL teams on a bye.

DK Metcalf returned to action last week after missing two games due to injury. Metcalf resumed his normal workload in Seattle, catching seven balls for 70 yards. He has been somewhat boom-or-bust this season from a fantasy standpoint. Metcalf has three top-10 fantasy finishes but has finished outside the top 24 in his other five games. It is hard to argue against Metcalf's upside, especially with many prominent wideouts having a Week 12 bye. Because of that, Metcalf is a borderline WR1 despite some inconsistent weekly results.

Smith-Njigba continues to explode in his sophomore season as the WR16 in fantasy points per game. He has eight red zone targets across his last seven games played. Since Week 7, Arizona has had the 11th-highest two-high rate (50%). Smith-Njigba has been Seattle's go-to weapon against two high with a team-leading 23.5% target share, 2.19 YPRR, and a 24.3% first-read share. Since Week 6, Arizona has still struggled against slot receivers, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game while ranking 15th in passer rating when targeted (106.1). Smith-Njigba should lead the way for Seattle's aerial assault this week.

Lockett is the WR50 in fantasy points per game with nine deep targets and seven red zone targets in his ten games played. He has five red zone targets in his last five games. Lockett has a 13.1% target share, 1.40 YPRR, and a 17.3% first-read share. Since Week 6, Arizona has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers. Sit Lockett this week.

Fant has been dealing with a groin injury. He opened this week with another DNP. I think he's likely out again this week, but I'll update you on his status on Friday.