The Seattle Seahawks have enjoyed a clear backfield hierarchy for much of the season. Kenneth Walker III has operated as the lead back, with Zach Charbonnet as the obvious handcuff to roster.
However, Week 14 saw Charbonnet break out with a massive game in Walker’s absence, potentially upending that hierarchy. Looking ahead, how much should fantasy managers prioritize Charbonnet this week?
Zach Charbonnet’s Fantasy Outlook
Charbonnet is the clear second fiddle to Walker, but the former got the start in Week 14 with the latter out due to ankle and calf injuries. The second-year back capitalized on his opportunity, posting a monstrous game of 134 rush yards, two rushing touchdowns, and 193 total scrimmage yards in a win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Not only was it the best game of Charbonnet’s young career, but it was also the best fantasy performance by a Seahawks running back since Thomas Rawls in 2015. It’s not the first time he’s done this either: Charbonnet has averaged 27.3 PPR points per game in the three contests that Walker has missed this season, scoring at least 17 points each time.
How Much FAAB Should You Spend on Charbonnet?
Hopefully you got in on the Charbonnet bonanza in Week 14, because it’s possible that this was a one-week party. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that Walker did not suffer any setbacks despite being declared inactive, and suggested he could play in Week 15.
In 10 games that Walker and Charbonnet have both played this season, Walker has outsnapped Charbonnet in nine of those games. The only time Charbonnet received more snaps was in Week 7 vs. the Atlanta Falcons, when Walker was questionable up until kickoff with an illness.
As a result, there’s no indication that Charbonnet has seized the backfield. The second-year back has been the superior option this season, averaging 4.1 yards per rush compared to 3.7 for Walker. It’s not just the byproduct of better blocking, either. Per NFL Pro, Charbonnet has rushed for +45 yards over expected this season, compared to -13 yards above expected for Walker.
Nevertheless, Charbonnet is not likely to receive anywhere close to the same workload if Walker returns as expected. He’s a must-roster if you’re the Walker manager, but if he’s still on waivers, he’s not worth blowing through your remaining FAAB unless word emerges that Walker will miss further time.
Charbonnet’s Background
Charbonnet starred in college at Michigan (2019-20) and UCLA (2021-22). He began his career with a Michigan freshman record 11 rushing touchdowns in 2019 but transferred after taking a backseat in 2020.
He posted a pair of consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons at UCLA, earning second-team All-American honors as a senior in 2022. He would be drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, as he was the third running back picked after Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Charbonnet rushed 108 times for 462 yards and one touchdown as a rookie in 2023, serving as the clear backup to Walker. While he’s still been the secondary back in 2024, he’s scored seven times on the ground and already has 400 rushing yards with four games to go.
Charbonnet has two years remaining on his rookie deal after this year, compared to one for Walker. That will put Seattle in a position to likely decide between the two, extending one and allowing the other to walk in free agency or provide a return via trade.
