Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III draws an excellent matchup against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. The Broncos boasted the third-worst rushing defense in the NFL in 2023. The defense improved as the season progressed, but there is no reason to believe they will be able to hold Walker in check in Week 1. With the news that the Seahawks will be a run-first team in 2024, Walker could be in for a massive workload. Walker should have plenty of lanes to run through and plenty of opportunities for big plays against the Broncos. Additionally, the Seahawks offense should move the ball effectively in Week 1. As such, Walker should have several opportunities to score in the red zone. You can confidently start Walker as a high-end RB2 in Week 1. His ability to break off big plays and potential for touchdown opportunities gives him top-five upside in Week 1.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (thigh) enters Week 1 after being limited in practice for much of training camp. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging this preseason, the Seahawks have three excellent options at wide receiver. Lockett slowed down in 2023. After four straight 1,000-yard seasons, Lockett only recorded 894 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. There is a lot of excitement around the Seahawks' offense due to the addition of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. A fresh coordinator could help Lockett have a resurgent season. However, since Lockett missed or was limited throughout most of training camp, he may require a couple of weeks to ramp up to game speed. Additionally, Lockett has been limited in practice thus far this week. He should be an ok flex option in Week 1, but do not expect a ground-breaking game from Lockett.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has an excellent opportunity to make a statement in Week 1. With DK Metcalf drawing the attention of cornerback Patrick Surtain II and Tyler Lockett (thigh) coming off a training camp injury, Smith-Njigba could find himself on the field and open often. All reports suggest that Smith-Njigba has had a great camp. He has also made a couple of highlight-reel plays in the preseason. Smith-Njigba also looks much bigger and more confident than he did in 2023. It is easy to forget that Smith-Njigba was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has the talent and pedigree to shine in 2024, which could come as early as Week 1.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has a tall task ahead of him against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. The Broncos have one of the NFL's best young cornerbacks, Patrick Surtain II. Metcalf will probably draw a shadow from Surtain who shadowed on 48.5% of his coverages in 2023. As such, Surtain may curb Metcalf's Week 1 upside. However, Metcalf is an alpha wide receiver who is likely to be force-fed targets in this new Seahawks system. Start Metcalf as a low-end WR2 in Week 1 but expect his outlook to improve as the season progresses.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (toe) was listed on the team's first official injury report of the 2024 season on Wednesday after he put in a limited practice session. Fant injured his toe at a training camp practice way back on Aug. 7, but the Seahawks have expressed optimism all along that he'd be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener this Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos at Lumen Field. The 26-year-old could be back to full practice by the end of the week and be removed from the final injury report for Week 1 on Friday. The former 20th overall pick by the Broncos in 2019 out of Iowa had career-lows in catches (32), receiving yards (414) and touchdowns (zero) in 17 games in his second year in Seattle in 2023. When healthy, Fant is the fourth receiving option, at best, among a trio of talented receivers, making him a low-ceiling, low-floor TE2 in fantasy.