Seattle’s first preseason game was almost exclusively played by players who are fighting to be one of the 53. There were a few exceptions and most news is all positive at this point.

QB:

The game was owned by QB Drew Lock who nearly managed 200 yards on 24 attempts along with 2 TDs, an INT and a sack against the Vikings. He did not sit out until Seattle had the lead at the end of the game when QB Holton Ahlers came in to play around 15 nearly perfect albeit seemingly unscripted yet exciting snaps that led to the final touchdown and a perfect 151.0 rating. But what he did is not likely indicative of who he is as a quarterback. It was much more about having his moment in the spotlight. Lock’s game was definitely who he is and reminds us that we are lucky to have QB Geno Smith at the helm. The fantasy takeaway is that Seattle has depth at wide receiver and running back that may not be expected by everyone. And Lock looks like an emergency backup.

RB:

RB Ken Walker has returned from injury but not until after the first preseason game. He is still the guy to draft since he should get the majority of the snaps. But RB Zach Charbonnet looked evasive on his few snaps in this game despite the rusty blocking from his linemen. He was responsible for Seattle’s lone first down in the first half, made yards after first contact, and caught both balls that were thrown his way. He may not just be a handcuff fantasy draft prospect with Walker, but he may be starting material himself. That has the possibility of cutting into Walker’s projected fantasy numbers, so owners beware. RB Bryan Koback also showed some stuff catching all three targets for 43 yards and carrying the rock consistently for 32 yards on 6 carries. He was a practice squad guy for the Vikings last year, so maybe these are just his revenge game stats? At any rate, he ended the game as the rushing leader and second in receiving yards making him someone to watch.

WR:

WR Dee Eskridge lost his opportunity to defend, or whatever the right word is, his third receiver spot after twisting his knee on the opening kickoff. It is probably not severe, but it allowed us see all the depth at receiver. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to look the part of being worthy of that first round pick even with limited playing time. There is not another player that can reasonably be considered to challenge him as the 3rd receiver especially with Eskridge having even a minor injury to keep him on the sidelines. WR Jake Bobo did use his limelight well, ending up with 55 yards after catching his 3 targets including a TD. Bobo is sort of a Rudy-guy. He has the size, but he does not have the speed or overall apparent talent that others have. Yet, he is showing a knack for being at the right place and doing the right thing. I do not know if he is really a sleeper candidate or just the guy you want to see get his shot, but I will be watching him.

TE:

Really no news here. TE Colby Parkinson caught his lone target for 10 yards and there really was no other tight end involvement in the passing game. That may actually be the way the first few games go as the offensive line gels. But Parkinson along with TE Noah Fant and TE Will Dissly are at best late round picks for gamblers and ‘Hawk fans in fantasy drafts anyway.

K:

Having no youngster challenging him, PK Jason Myers did all that was asked of him which was worth 6 fantasy points. Of course the real games will score higher and Myers seems settled in to reap fantasy points at a decent clip this year.

D:

DT Cameron Young missed the game with a calf strain, but I still expect him to be key in the run defense. Seattle really played vanilla defense all game and that tells us nothing because this unit will be flexed all over the place to get the best players on the field. But no matter what they do it is that size up front that concerns me for the running game. You can finesse many things, but nose tackle needs a brute. I am hoping that Young brings his brute and can give DE Jarran Reed some room to breath in the rotation. This group continues to look risky from a fantasy point of view and I still think they will underperform enough to pressure the offense into having to take risks and score high in their games which increases the fantasy value of the key offensive fantasy producers.

Go ‘Hawks!

End.