RB Kenneth Walker III - SEA (3 Viewers)

[Payne]

I think I'm benching both Walker and Charbs this week to try a wait and see approach until they figure this backfield out. Going to start either Jordan Mason or Dylan Sampson as a RB2.

This is what I may do as well. Or perhaps I'll start Charbonnet so Walker goes off for 150 and 2 TD's.

 

[LionOfGosforth]

8 yards a clip today. I can't figure this hobby out.

 

[zed2283]

 

[ProstheticRGK]

So, so, so glad I fought my gut instinct and didn’t bench him this week.

 

[FarFromHome]

So, so, so glad I fought my gut instinct and didn’t bench him this week.

Gutsy. Would have been a tough start.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

So, so, so glad I fought my gut instinct and didn’t bench him this week.

It's called not just going by just one week of 17.

 

[Lansdowne]

This backfield feels like a 'style makes fights' type situation.

Some weeks it'll be KWIII that they'll lean on, others it will be Charbs. Perhaps figuring out which defenses offer which styles and mapping back to the backfield will help. But this is probably a worst case scenario for both FF wise.

It’s probably this. But the “Charbs is better than Walker” contingent won’t be chirping this week after their respective performances (as of this writing, 13 carries for 105 yards and 1 touchdown for Walker, 12 carries for 11 yards and no touchdown for Charbs).

 

[Lansdowne]

So, so, so glad I fought my gut instinct and didn’t bench him this week.

Gutsy. Would have been a tough start.

I started him simply because lack of viable alternatives. Also the Steelers run defense isn’t what they used to be.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

So, so, so glad I fought my gut instinct and didn’t bench him this week.

It's called not just going by just one week of 17.

I know it. It was that angel of logic on my shoulder that kept me from listening to that devil telling me to overreact to a dominant Charbs performance.

 

[bolzano]

So, so, so glad I fought my gut instinct and didn’t bench him this week.

It's called not just going by just one week of 17.

I know it. It was that angel of logic on my shoulder that kept me from listening to that devil telling me to overreact to a dominant Charbs performance.

In retrospect, we should’ve predicted a big game based off what Hall and the Jets did to the Steelers last week. The curious thing is how poorly Charbs performed.

 

[rockaction]

I lost a Tracy and got a Walker back. I wish that went for my other Tracy league.

 

[Brh1219]

Same thought tracey would have hit a few of those open holes better than skat

 

[Payne]

Let's hope the "debate" is over.

 

[Ray Barboni]

He is, who we thought he was?

 

[LionOfGosforth]

Didn't see either game, was today a result of getting healthier or just Steelers being hopeless against the run?

 

[Ray Barboni]

Didn't see either game, was today a result of getting healthier or just Steelers being hopeless against the run?

Both

 

[Lansdowne]

Let's hope the "debate" is over.

We both know that’s not going to be the case. Last week for whatever reason, Walker was hit from behind the LOS more while Charbs got better blocking and looked better as a result. I don’t know what happened today as I didn’t watch the game, but this week Walker produced a lot better than Charbs. If we’ve learned anything it’s to not overreact to one bad week.

 

[dmac37]

So now it is really trying to figure out the "we have a plan for Walker" during the pre season.

A) Are they slowly ramping him up after his pre season injury
B) They are going to limit him all year because of the injury history

I'm camp A in this scenario. I do not believe coaches preserve their best players to protect them from injury. I think this split starts moving in favor of KW3 starting week 3.

 

[Ray Barboni]

So now it is really trying to figure out the "we have a plan for Walker" during the pre season.

A) Are they slowly ramping him up after his pre season injury
B) They are going to limit him all year because of the injury history

I'm camp A in this scenario. I do not believe coaches preserve their best players to protect them from injury. I think this split starts moving in favor of KW3 starting week 3.

It’s KW3’s backfield. I don’t think there’s even a debate on that anymore, imo.

All we’ve heard, all off-season, was that Ken Walker was the guy. Gonna manage him? Sure. But it’s obvious to me, that KW3 is the guy they want as RB1

 

[Payne]

Let's hope the "debate" is over.

We both know that’s not going to be the case. Last week for whatever reason, Walker was hit from behind the LOS more while Charbs got better blocking and looked better as a result. I don’t know what happened today as I didn’t watch the game, but this week Walker produced a lot better than Charbs. If we’ve learned anything it’s to not overreact to one bad week.

I'm not overreacting to one game. Walker has been the better RB for two years.

 

[Lansdowne]

Let's hope the "debate" is over.

We both know that’s not going to be the case. Last week for whatever reason, Walker was hit from behind the LOS more while Charbs got better blocking and looked better as a result. I don’t know what happened today as I didn’t watch the game, but this week Walker produced a lot better than Charbs. If we’ve learned anything it’s to not overreact to one bad week.

I'm not overreacting to one game. Walker has been the better RB for two years.

Not meaning you specifically, just generally the people panicking after Walker’s poor showing last week. And in fairness, Charbonnet’s poor showing this week. Both RB’s are better than what they showed. But I agree Walker has been and is better.

 

[Banger]

Took a risk on Saturday night and dealt J Warren and Olave (5th wr) for him. Was hoping for this kind of week.

 

[Ray_T]

So, so, so glad I fought my gut instinct and didn’t bench him this week.

it was the right call.

I was pretty sure part of it was he was still hurt. I'm sure hes still not 100% but hes not against a good Defense on a division rival where the hits are perhaps a lot more ferocious.

 

[bolzano]

Let's hope the "debate" is over.

We both know that’s not going to be the case. Last week for whatever reason, Walker was hit from behind the LOS more while Charbs got better blocking and looked better as a result. I don’t know what happened today as I didn’t watch the game, but this week Walker produced a lot better than Charbs. If we’ve learned anything it’s to not overreact to one bad week.

I'm not overreacting to one game. Walker has been the better RB for two years.

Yeah, KW3 is the back you want to own in this committee. He will be the clear 1A production-wise as long as he’s healthy. He makes chunk plays and thus can be deadly on 12-15 touches.

Charbs, on the other hand, is still just a premium handcuff/ stash and bye week flex. He needs workhorse volume to produce RB1/2 numbers, but I think he’s gonna settle into something like 10-12 carries per game.

 

[TampaMike19]

Definitely sat on my bench but felt variance was at play. Sighed when he scored that td but needless to say he’s not leaving my lineup ROS

 

[Bronco Billy]

1 in a row! Interesting to watch some of the victory laps being done and some rewriting of history over the past 2+ years by the usual suspects, but I’ll concede without any reservation that Walker was the better back by far yesterday.

I’m wondering if we aren’t headed to a hot hand approach moving forward.

 

[Payne]

1 in a row! Interesting to watch some of the victory laps being done and some rewriting of history over the past 2+ years by the usual suspects, but I’ll concede without any reservation that Walker was the better back by far yesterday.

I’m wondering if we aren’t headed to a hot hand approach moving forward.

Go back to last year. Charbonnet had a couple of great games. Did they stick with him when Walker came back? No.
Walker was right back in the starting lineup.

Go back to game 1. Charbonnet was playing better. No doubt.
Yet the coaching staff started Walked in the 2nd half and he was the back on the field when the game was on the line.

I don't know what else you need. It is and always has been Walker when he is healthy.
And who is rewriting history?

 

[Bronco Billy]

1 in a row! Interesting to watch some of the victory laps being done and some rewriting of history over the past 2+ years by the usual suspects, but I’ll concede without any reservation that Walker was the better back by far yesterday.

I’m wondering if we aren’t headed to a hot hand approach moving forward.

Go back to last year. Charbonnet had a couple of great games. Did they stick with him when Walker came back? No.
Walker was right back in the starting lineup.

Go back to game 1. Charbonnet was playing better. No doubt.
Yet the coaching staff started Walked in the 2nd half and he was the back on the field when the game was on the line.

I don't know what else you need. It is and always has been Walker when he is healthy.
And who is rewriting history?

You know that SEA has a new OC this year who has a pretty good track record of productive running games, right? Why would what previous OCs have done dictate what Kubiak will do? I’m guessing he’s more concerned with production rather than who runs faster.

 

[bolzano]

1 in a row! Interesting to watch some of the victory laps being done and some rewriting of history over the past 2+ years by the usual suspects, but I’ll concede without any reservation that Walker was the better back by far yesterday.

I’m wondering if we aren’t headed to a hot hand approach moving forward.

Go back to last year. Charbonnet had a couple of great games. Did they stick with him when Walker came back? No.
Walker was right back in the starting lineup.

Go back to game 1. Charbonnet was playing better. No doubt.
Yet the coaching staff started Walked in the 2nd half and he was the back on the field when the game was on the line.

I don't know what else you need. It is and always has been Walker when he is healthy.
And who is rewriting history?

You know that SEA has a new OC this year who has a pretty good track record of productive running games, right? Why would what previous OCs have done dictate what Kubiak will do? I’m guessing he’s more concerned with production rather than who runs faster.

I think there’s gonna continue to be a healthy split of touches between the two. The difference is that KW3’s skillset allows him to be an RB2 with upside on that load, whereas Charbs really needs the backfield to be all his for his stock to hit.

Regardless, both probably need an injury to the other for them to reach their respective ceilings.

 

[Largent]

His teammates know he’s the special weapon. His coaches were probably getting tired of his sitting out camp practices due to soreness. The spin in FF community was this was the changing of the guard.
Alas, this is his contract year and in a scheme that will showcase his abilities. Charbs has always been the less talented but more reliable from a playing at all costs standpoint.
Walker will miss maybe 1-2 games but I’m paraphrasing JSN from an interview during camp “he’s the straw that stirs the drink” on that offense

 

[menobrown]

The game yesterday cleared up absolutely nothing for me with respect to how to handle these two in my lineups going forward or did anything to change my mind with how I viewed their talent.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

1 in a row! Interesting to watch some of the victory laps being done and some rewriting of history over the past 2+ years by the usual suspects, but I’ll concede without any reservation that Walker was the better back by far yesterday.

I’m wondering if we aren’t headed to a hot hand approach moving forward.

Go back to last year. Charbonnet had a couple of great games. Did they stick with him when Walker came back? No.
Walker was right back in the starting lineup.

Go back to game 1. Charbonnet was playing better. No doubt.
Yet the coaching staff started Walked in the 2nd half and he was the back on the field when the game was on the line.

I don't know what else you need. It is and always has been Walker when he is healthy.
And who is rewriting history?

Except for this year where they've split 50/50, regardless of which one was playing better in that particular game.

Like I've mentioned a few times in this thread, history in FF can get thrown out the window fast, and coaches can change their mind. How many times will coaches bang their head against the wall giving KW3 a workhorse role and watching him get hurt and underperform before they finally accept that's not the best way to use him? As mentioned this offseason, we may already be there because he finished last year hurt so week 1 of this year was the first time we got to see if they were going back to feature-back KW3 after his latest injury, and so far they haven't.

KW3 just had his most efficient game as a runner in over 3 years. He did it splitting the work 50/50. For all we know, that's just further validation for the coaches that he's better used getting half the work and staying healthy/fresh than he is as a workhorse which has been a constant headache through multiple years of trying things that way.

Obviously, if he continues outplaying Charbs by THAT much then the coaches would seemingly have no choice but to leave him on the field. But given Charb's past performances this game seemed like a pretty big outlier for him so I wouldn't anticipate a high likelihood of the weekly disparity being that large.

 

[menobrown]

t I’m paraphrasing JSN from an interview during camp “he’s the straw that stirs the drink” on that offense

He said Walker was "their bread and butter" and followed that up by saying "Charbs as well".

 

[menobrown]

The game yesterday cleared up absolutely nothing for me with respect to how to handle these two in my lineups going forward or did anything to change my mind with how I viewed their talent.

@The Finist what do you find humorous about this post?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

This topic is going to be a delightful back and forth all year. lol

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Let's hope the "debate" is over.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha (deep breath) hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[Terpman22]

Started Charbs in one league.

Won't be doing that again unless Walker is out

Lesson learned, first time testing this out and it hilariously backfired.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Lesson learned, first time testing this out and it hilariously backfired.

1st time playing FF?

Welcome.

 

[Terpman22]

Lesson learned, first time testing this out and it hilariously backfired.

1st time playing FF?

Welcome.

I said this was the first time, I've had him stashed for a few years on a few teams and definitely took advantage when he was the for sure starter last year in some games.

But yeah this time this year was the first time "Lets see how this goes" Gamble Flex play ahaha 1.0 PPR points is sweet to pari with Nabers going off and Burrow at QB in a league yaaay

 

[Payne]

Let's hope the "debate" is over.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha (deep breath) hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Guess I thought wrong.

 

[menobrown]

I have no preference in this debate, have said this many times but I feel the need to say it again because I'm sure people will think I'm Team Charbs or something. I own both of them a lot and in a few leagues together, I think Walker is better, have been firm on that, but usage in fantasy is king and all I've wanted for this backfield was clarity.

I'm absolutely baffled reading through these responses where everyone thinks we got clarity.

Charbs has played more snaps then Walker in both games. He handles majority of short yardage runs and majority of passing downs, the more fantasy friendly snaps. Just yesterday, in a game many of you are saying cleared things up for you, Charbs outsnapped him 61% to 39%, ran twice as many routes and I think had more goal line carries.

Charbs was the better player week one. Walker was the better player week two.

But sure, it's all clear going forward. Feel like I just entered a different reality then he one I'm living in.

 

[Desert_Power]

So, so, so glad I fought my gut instinct and didn’t bench him this week.

Benched him where I could and played where I couldn't. Such a weird result though.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

But yeah this time this year was the first time "Lets see how this goes" Gamble Flex play ahaha 1.0 PPR points is sweet to pari with Nabers going off and Burrow at QB in a league yaaay

This was me on TNF with JCM for 1.8 points.

Fortunately my entire team produced a points bonanza after that, but yeah. 1.8 sucks.

 

[Payne]

1 in a row! Interesting to watch some of the victory laps being done and some rewriting of history over the past 2+ years by the usual suspects, but I’ll concede without any reservation that Walker was the better back by far yesterday.

I’m wondering if we aren’t headed to a hot hand approach moving forward.

Go back to last year. Charbonnet had a couple of great games. Did they stick with him when Walker came back? No.
Walker was right back in the starting lineup.

Go back to game 1. Charbonnet was playing better. No doubt.
Yet the coaching staff started Walked in the 2nd half and he was the back on the field when the game was on the line.

I don't know what else you need. It is and always has been Walker when he is healthy.
And who is rewriting history?

You know that SEA has a new OC this year who has a pretty good track record of productive running games, right? Why would what previous OCs have done dictate what Kubiak will do? I’m guessing he’s more concerned with production rather than who runs faster.

Who was more productive:
Player A had 105 yards and a TD on 13 carries and 1 reception for 13 yards.
Player B had 10 yards on 15 carries and no targets

You're disagreeing with yourself.

 

[TampaMike19]

I don’t feel clearer about anything either. However Charbonnet is mysteriously missing from the passing game as he is a good receiver out of the backfield and walker seems to gobble up all of the receptions. Overall I think walker has better usage going forward but it’s kind of like Atlanta in which charbs may snipe some tds

 

[joey]

I have no preference in this debate, have said this many times but I feel the need to say it again because I'm sure people will think I'm Team Charbs or something. I own both of them a lot and in a few leagues together, I think Walker is better, have been firm on that, but usage in fantasy is king and all I've wanted for this backfield was clarity.

I'm absolutely baffled reading through these responses where everyone thinks we got clarity.

Charbs has played more snaps then Walker in both games. He handles majority of short yardage runs and majority of passing downs, the more fantasy friendly snaps. Just yesterday, in a game many of you are saying cleared things up for you, Charbs outsnapped him 61% to 39%, ran twice as many routes and I think had more goal line carries.

Charbs was the better player week one. Walker was the better player week two.

But sure, it's all clear going forward. Feel like I just entered a different reality then he one I'm living in.

This 100%

I had both KW and Charbs on my bench in the 1 league where I roster both. Will likely lose for not starting KW, but this backfield is so muddy right now I don’t know who I can trust.

Depending on other options/injuries next week, KW will likely go back into one of my flex spots. Fingers and toes crossed.

 

[Absolutely Nothing]

I don’t feel clearer about anything either. However Charbonnet is mysteriously missing from the passing game as he is a good receiver out of the backfield and walker seems to gobble up all of the receptions. Overall I think walker has better usage going forward but it’s kind of like Atlanta in which charbs may snipe some tds

This is where I've landed- if one of the backs becomes a clear starter they're immediately vaulted to the RB1 status in this offense, but at the moment for your line-up decisions you have to follow the production. KW is a risky buy because who know what's gonna happen week 3, but if I leaned one direction it would be towards him being the season-long play.

Wish I had any piece of either, even if just for the lottery potential if the roles clarify or there is injury.

 

[Payne]

Some of you were screaming for Charbonnet to get more work due to his production. Don't you feel the same about Walker?
History shows he is the guy when healthy. And last week showed who is the more productive back and it wasn't even close.

There isn't much debate here. Plug in Walker.

 

[Faust]

@Seahawks
On another level.

Presented by @NextGenStats

https://x.com/seahawks/status/1968471991888855485?s=61

Kenneth Walker III
Averaged 8.25 yards per carry against a stacked box (8+ players)

 

[Faust]

Why Seahawks’ RB job share with Walker, Charbonnet? More than meets the eye