Fantasy football: Geno Smith’s surprise rise buoys Seahawks teammates

Each soccer season brings a parade of surprises. Simply take a fast take a look at this season: The 4-1 Giants, the Cowboys going 4-0 with Cooper Rush at QB, the Lions’ offense has been so good, it leads the NFL in scoring — even after being shut out in Week 5.

This one is a bit much less hyped however simply as stunning when taken under consideration: The Seahawks’ offense is healthier this season with Geno Smith than it was final yr with Russell Wilson.

Smith’s rise, fairly actually, is on par with the Cooper Rush success in Dallas after a dismal opener with Dak Prescott underneath heart — in level manufacturing if not wins.

Seattle has scored 127 factors up to now, the third-most within the NFC (behind simply the Lions and undefeated Eagles). Significantly, it's the previous two weeks which have been eye-opening.

After averaging 15.7 factors over the primary three video games, Seattle has scored 48 and 32 up to now two. A lot of that has to do with Smith’s stunning effectiveness — his 75.2 completion proportion leads all starters. Nevertheless it hasn’t simply been Smith, who ranks sixth in fantasy manufacturing amongst quarterbacks.

His efficiency has elevated vast receiver Tyler Lockett and maintained DK Metcalf’s fantasy worth. However there may be one space that has lagged in that prosperity: the working sport.

Major working again Rashaad Penny has been merely “fundamental,” as the youngsters may say — a excessive of 8.7 PPR factors the primary three video games. Then got here a breakout final week towards the Lions (17-for-151 and two touchdowns, 28.7 PPR) — however everybody breaks out towards the Lions.

Geno Smith
Geno Smith
Getty Photographs

Penny did simply OK on Sunday (8-for-54) earlier than struggling a season-ending damaged leg within the third quarter. That compelled rookie Kenneth Walker III into motion. He had simply 15 complete carries heading into Week 5, and had simply 11 yards on his first 5 carries Sunday. Simply extra ho-hum RB play, proper?

Then he ripped off a 69-yard, go-ahead TD run within the fourth quarter. He completed 8-for-88 with a rating, good for 14.8 factors in PPR. And with the Penny information, and the swell of affection surrounding all issues Seahawks, Walker can be a scorching identify on waiver wires this week — he's accessible in barely lower than half of leagues.

Definitely, he's value consideration and an add, on the proper worth. However earlier than you bust your funds, consider: Exterior of his lengthy TD run, Walker has 77 yards on 22 carries (3.5 common) and simply six catches for 14 yards (no think about passing sport).

Walker’s quantity can be positive, and that's basically what you might be chasing. In any other case, it's a must to have deep religion in Geno Smith and the present Seattle offensive surge (we’re a tad skeptical), and it's a must to consider Walker’s effectivity will rise, as a result of it ain’t nice up to now.

So be proportionately reserved in your free-agent bidding, and in the event you occur to have already got him, it isn’t a foul thought to see in the event you can money in on his present hype.

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