Fantasy Preview: Revamped Seahawks Offense Should Highlight Smith-Njigba

By Jack Dougherty

Year 1 was a success for rookie head coach Mike Macdonald, who led the Seahawks to a 10-7 record behind Geno Smith and a strong, young defense. This offense will look much different in 2025, as Seattle replaced Smith with Sam Darnold, traded away DK Metcalf and brought in Cooper Kupp. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba taking over the WR1 role and Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet manning one of the best backfields in the NFC, this offense could explode if Darnold can build off his strong 2024 season. 

The defense might be even more exciting, especially in the secondary with Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Julian Love, Coby Bryant and rookie Nick Emmanwori running the show. DeMarcus Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II will be living in opposing backfields all season, and Ernest Jones IV is one of the best in the business at inside linebacker. This could be one of the best units in the NFL in 2025. 

Odds to Make Playoffs: +176

Quarterback: Sam Darnold

• 2024-25 stats: 17 games, 361-545, 66.2% completion, 4,319 yards, 7.9 yards per attempt, 102.5 passer rating, 35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

• Darnold is coming off a career year in Minnesota in which he finished as the QB9 in fantasy, but it’s fair to wonder how much of that success can be attributed to Kevin O’Connell, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. This will be a run-heavy offense under OC Klint Kubiak, and there are question marks in the WR room outside of Smith-Njigba, so Darnold should be a late-round dart throw in drafts. 

Running Back: Kenneth Walker III

• 2024-25 stats: 11 games, 153 carries, 573 yards, 3.7 average, 7 touchdowns, 52.1 yards/game, 1 fumble lost

• Walker ranked 12th among running backs last season in fantasy points per game thanks to a career-high 46 catches and 299 receiving yards. He’s only going to keep improving as a receiver, but Charbonnet might be a better value in drafts than paying up for Walker in the fourth round. 

Wide Receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

• 2024-25 stats: 17 games, 100 receptions, 137 targets, 1,130 yards, 11.3 average, 6 touchdowns, 66.5 yards/game, 477 yards after catch

• Smith-Njigba is an explosive wide receiver who’s poised to take over as the No. 1 target in Seattle’s offense. The Ohio State product averaged 18.2 fantasy points per game over his last nine starts, which would’ve been good for the WR7. JSN is a high-upside target in the third round.

Tight End: AJ Barner

• 2024-25 stats: 17 games, 30 receptions, 38 targets, 245 yards, 8.2 average, 4 touchdowns, 14.4 yards/game, 164 yards after catch

• When the Seahawks aren’t pounding the rock, they’ll be force-feeding Smith-Njigba in the passing game. Seattle’s tight end room likely won’t be fantasy relevant in 2025. 

Defense

• 2024-25 stats: 21.6 points allowed per game, 37.05% 3rd down, 50.0% 4th down, 13 interceptions, 45 sacks, 14 fumbles caused, 5 fumbles recovered, 4 touchdowns

• The Seahawks were the sixth-best defense in fantasy last season due to their ability to force turnovers, and that’s only going to improve in 2025. Seattle’s defense should be one of the top targets in drafts.