Seattle Seahawks: 2024 best prop bets and fantasy draft value
The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise — fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Seattle Seahawks.
Fantasy value — Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR (ADP: 134.93, WR43)
When your head coach calls you a “massive piece” to the offensive game plan, it’s usually a good sign.
New head coach Mike Macdonald fully expects offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to maximize Smith-Njigba’s versatility by having him split time inside and out. For a receiver who played 64.3% of his snaps in the slot during his rookie year, a creative spike in deployment could unleash him in Year 2.
[ Gamer's Guide to the Gridiron: Fantasy football forecasts and NFL betting picks ]
Last season, the former Buckeye finished an uneventful No. 56 in 0.5 PPR scoring among wideouts. However, under the hood, there were encouraging signs he’ll take a significant step forward this season.
In 2023, Smith-Njigba ranked top-25 in route win percentage and total yards after catch. Given his improved practice habits, new system and experience, he’s a likely profit turner at his WR43 average price tag. A final line around 75-875-6 is attainable.
Prop pick — Kenneth Walker III UNDER 8.5 rushing touchdowns (-115, Caesars)
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“Tepid at best” is a proper description for Seattle’s offensive line. ESPN’s Mike Clay forecasts the unit to be the worst in the NFL. That’s a precipitous decline from its respectable No. 15 finish in run-blocking efficiency last year, according to Pro Football Focus. If that's the case, Grubb, who has a strong O-line background, is sure to pound his head against a wall.
On 219 rushing attempts last season, The THIRD tucked inside the RB top 25 in YAC per attempt (2.91) and the top five in total missed tackles forced (56). Without question, Walker possesses the baseline skills to splash the invisible pool nine or more times. Three things, however, sap confidence: 1) strength of schedule, 2) offensive environment and 3) Zach Charbonnet.
Topping the undesirable list, Seattle owns the third-hardest SOS for fantasy RBs. When coupled with a very sketchy offensive line, Walker replicating his rushing TD production in 2022 (9) and 2023 (8) seems doubtful. Throw in Charbonnet’s presumed 30% to 35% snap share role, and pessimistic thoughts really take hold. The always lurking injury imp only elevates negativity. Even in an offensive scheme determined to stress physicality, seven rushing scores for Walker feel like the conclusion.
Team lean — OVER 7.5 wins (-125, Caesars)
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The brow sweat is already building. Universally available at 7.5 across the spectrum of sportsbooks, the wins total is a well set number.
Clay gives Seattle a 55% or greater win probability in seven games. If the Seahawks handle business in winnable games and emerges victorious in just one projected coin flip — Week 7 at Atlanta, Week 15 vs. Green Bay and Week 18 at the Rams — they’ll achieve what’s required.
Their above-average defense alone — especially its secondary featuring sophomore sensation CB Devon Witherspoon — should propel backers to a cash.
