Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks new head coach Mike Macdonald said his coaching staff plans to make wide receiver DK Metcalf a "moving target" for defenses this year. "I can tell you this: We want to get DK the ball a lot, too," Macdonald said. The Seahawks and new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb plan to move Metcalf around and get him the ball often after he ended the 2023 campaign on a sour note, catching just one pass for 10 yards in the season finale. Still, the 26-year-old made his second Pro Bowl and topped 1,000 yards receiving for the second straight season and the third time in five years while also visiting paydirt eight times. Fantasy managers won't complain about the Seahawks using Metcalf more creatively, including more in the slot, to make him more productive. Treat him as a solid WR2 wideout in fantasy drafts this fall.

Seattle Seahawks second-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (shoulder) left Wednesday's practice at mandatory minicamp with a shoulder issue, but head coach Mike MacDonald indicated it's not a serious injury. Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (toe) also left practice early after injuring his toe. It's possible that Smith-Njigba is held out for the rest of minicamp as a precaution, but the 22-year-old should be ready to rock at the end of July for the start of training camp. Despite being behind both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the receiving depth chart in his rookie campaign in 2023, Smith-Njigba impressed with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games played. The former first-rounder didn't see much downfield work, though, and will face a second straight season as the WR3 in Seattle. Consider him a WR4/flex in fantasy with upside for more in Year 2.

Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end AJ Barner (hamstring) returned to organized team activities on Monday after sitting out of rookie minicamp and OTAs at the end of May with a hamstring injury. It's great news for the fourth-rounder, who can now start to get valuable on-field repetitions as he looks to learn a new offense and get up to speed before training camp starts at the end of July. The 22-year-old figures to be off the redraft fantasy radar in 2024 and should serve as depth at the position in Seattle behind Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown. Barner is unlikely to play a significant role in his first year in the NFL and was seen on draft day as more of a project heading to the next level. He has an immense wing span and stands at 6-foot-6, but he accumulated only 610 yards and five touchdowns in 40 collegiate games at Indiana and Michigan.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell is expected to begin the season behind Geno Smith. However, it appears the former Commander isn't a lock to be the No. 2 signal-caller on the depth chart. "Not much," he said when responding to a question about what he knows about his role heading into the 2023-24 campaign. "They just tell me to keep working and just keep trying to get better every single day, and I'm taking it one day at a time, and I really don't worry too much about the future or what plans they might have for me just because nobody really knows." Howell finished last season by throwing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He also completed 63.4% of his throws and added five rushing touchdowns. As such, the 23-year-old could get a chance under center in Seattle if Smith struggles at any point during the season, assuming he doesn't win the starting job during training camp. As a result, dynasty managers playing in multi-quarterback setups and have room to spare should keep Howell on the roster, at least for now.

Seattle Seahawks new head coach Mike Macdonald said "his practice habits are awesome" when discussing wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba's big day at organized team activities this week. The feeling inside the organization was that Smith-Njigba really improved in that regard as his rookie season progressed, along with his wrist healing later in the year. After Seattle selected him with the 20th overall pick last year out of Ohio State, the 22-year-old caught 63 of his 93 targets for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games (three starts). While those numbers might have been a bit disappointing for some given his draft pedigree, you also have to remember he did it with both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett ahead of him on the receiver depth chart. Seattle may be impressed with his work ethic, but it's probably going to take an injury to one of Metcalf or Lockett to take the next step for fantasy managers.