Seattle Seahawks DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp will look to bounce back against the Cardinals after posting back-to-back down weeks at the worst possible time for his fantasy investors. He was shut out in Week 15 and managed just three catches for 24 receiving yards in Week 16 against the Jets. Kupp has taken a backseat to Puka Nacua over the last few games and only has a total of six targets in the last two weeks, compared to 17 targets for Nacua over that span. Kupp's season numbers are still solid, and he has stepped up when called upon. However, he's hard to trust in a reduced role. He left the Rams' first game against the Cardinals with an ankle injury after four catches for 37 yards. He'll try to help the Rams avenge that Week 2 loss in a favorable matchup this week. The Cardinals have allowed four WR touchdowns in the last four weeks and rank in the middle third of the NFL in fantasy points allowed to the position on the season. Kupp is RotoBaller's WR19 this week, making him a fringe WR start in most formats on Saturday night at home with a good ceiling but also a low floor since his volume has dropped off so sharply.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) put in a second straight limited practice on Thursday this week. Valdes-Scantling might need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable designation on the final injury report, but he still has a pretty good chance of being active this Sunday to take on the visiting Las Vegas Raiders in the Big Easy. MVS had a three-game stretch that came out of nowhere from Weeks 10-13 where he had seven catches on 10 targets for 232 yards and four touchdowns, but that small hot streak came to a quick end once quarterback Derek Carr (hand) was injured in Week 14. He caught two of seven targets for 64 yards with rookie Spencer Rattler starting in Week 15 before he was inactive this past Monday in the loss to the Packers. With Chris Olave (concussion) on track to make his return this week, MVS should be ignored if he's back in Week 17.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was placed on the injured reserve. As a result, Walker will miss at least the next four contests, which will keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. In addition, the Seahawks would have to advance to at least the NFC Championship to give Walker an opportunity to return to action. The Michigan State product sustained this injury during last weekend's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Zach Charbonnet to lead the backfield for the foreseeable future. When put in the starting role, Charbonnet has performed very well. During Weeks 14 and 15, Charbonnet averaged a stellar 25.9 PPR points per game. He should be viewed as a top-12 option on Thursday evening when he faces the Chicago Bears. Kenny McIntosh will move up to the No.2 spot and could see a slight increase in opportunities.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (knee) is not a player you can trust to lead your team to a fantasy championship this week. The Seahawks play the Chicago Bears in Week 17 who are middle-of-the-road against opposing tight ends in fantasy. Fant receives solid target volume in Seattle's offense, but his yardage is often capped, and his touchdown upside is limited. Rookie tight end AJ Barner seems to be the team's preferred tight end target in the red zone. Fant has not scored a touchdown since 2022. Fant has earned at least four targets in seven straight games. However, he has only exceeded 26 yards in three of those games. If their yardage is limited and touchdowns are scarce, then it is difficult to trust a tight end in fantasy football. Leave Fant on waivers this week.

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (elbow) looks to be in line to receive the majority of the running back workload in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. With Kenneth Walker III (ankle) dealing with another injury, Charbonnet should step in as a high-end RB2 or even an RB1 against a Bears team with issues stopping the run. Charbonnet has delivered high-end fantasy output in each of his four starts in relief of Walker this season. The highlight of those starts was a 38.3 PPR fantasy point outburst in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite only logging four starts and receiving limited volume in his other games this season, Charbonnet is the RB26 on the season. Charbonnet should have solid running lanes all night long and will continue to be a significant factor in the passing game as well. Charbonnet has been banged up this week with an elbow injury. However, he has been practicing fully and appears to be in good shape to receive a heavy workload in a must-win game for Seattle.