It seems like the cut to 53 came up quickly this summer, but we are almost to the first meaningful game after many changes in Seattle. The new offensive scheme is expected to be run heavy and offensive line friendly. On top of that three rookies should start and six more made the 53. That makes for a large number of unproven changes moving into the season.

QB:

QB Sam Darnold is the starter for sure and there is no way to predict exactly how well he is going to perform from a fantasy perspective. It is hard to get that last playoff game performance from last year out of my head when thinking that out. Add to that a run heavy play book (as far as we have been led to believe) and all the receivers being new to him. I would not draft him early, but do watch for him to show his true colors and be prepared to grab him. I will likely be predicting 200 yards and 1-2 TDs from him starting out.

My thoughts on the offensive line seem to have held up; LT Chris Cross, LG Grey Zabel, OC Jalen Sundell, RG Anthony Bradford, RT Abe Lucas. OC Olu Oluwatimi may yet start over Sundell, but this line in general should perform better than last year.

RB:

RB George Holani benefits from RB Kenny McIntosh being on IR make the 53. RB Kenny Walker and RB Zach Charbonnet are the fantasy players to grab though. Walker will likely get the bulk of the yards, but Charbonnet tends to get the rock in the red zone. So even though it is not a running back by committee, both should get fantasy production. I would give the nod to Walker though. For now.

WR:

WR Jaxon Smith-Ngigba will get his chance to show what he can do as a WR1 and WR Cooper Kupp is going to be fun to watch, but what might his production be? And next up after them is WR Tory Horton who was a fifth round pick in this year's draft. JSN is the logical leader here, but Kupp and Horton should be taken in fantasy drafts too. Just make sure it is late.

TE:

TE Elijah Arroyo is one of my favorites. Most likely TE AJ Barner will get the bulk of the fantasy points starting out, but Arroyo is likely to be the real threat in this group my mid-season.

PK:

I will continue to recommend against drafting PK Jason Myers like I have for too many years. He will likely be around the 20th best kicker in fantasy production.

Defense:

The team defense is going to be tough. They had ups and downs last year, but assuming this offense no longer leaves them as bad of field position and they play up to their obvious potential this could be a solid fantasy defense to start week after week. Draft them accordingly.

DE Leonard Williams should compete with DE Uchenna Nwosu for sack leader each game. I expect some interesting blitz packages to mix that up though. I suspect that LB Ernest Jones may be the tackle leader. Regardless this defense is on the rise and will be fun to watch as they progress.

Go Hawks!

End.