We’re approaching the 2025 season. Every year, a few players seize on the right opportunity and surprise fantasy players. The value comes from trying to predict who it will end up being this time of year and stashing them. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at some 2025 sleeper candidates at each key fantasy position: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Hopefully, these are players you can acquire at a value that will propel you to fantasy glory.
Today, I’m transitioning to running backs. First on my list is a young player in Seattle entering his third year. He has some upside and has shown an ability to thrive when he’s the guy. The problem is, he isn’t the starter—yet. Will that change significantly in 2025? That’s a bit unclear. But as Seattle overhauls its offense, I think Zach Charbonnet is the running back I prefer. That could begin as early as 2024.
So, what makes me so interested in Charbonnet? Well, it’s about philosophy, contracts, and production. Let’s dive in and see what makes him interesting.
The Case for Zach Charbonnet
Do you know who was the best fantasy finisher in the Seahawks’ backfield in 2024? That’s right, it was Charbonnet. He finished as RB25. That might not sound impressive, but Ken Walker finished as RB27. Part of the reason Walker was behind him was that he missed games. Walker appeared in just 11 games, but he was the starter in each game he played. Charbonnet appeared in all 17, starting the six that Walker missed. That’s the classic setup for a player who is a role player and top backup.
So, why am I so high on Charbonnet? It’s a matter of their production, which was nearly equal. Charbonnet saw 135 carries, turning them into 569 yards and eight touchdowns. Walker, the majority starter, saw 153 carries but had just 573 yards and seven touchdowns. Even in the passing game, Charbonnet was more efficient. He saw 52 targets, catching 42 passes for 340 yards. Walker saw 53 targets, catching 46 for just 299 yards. When Walker was out, the Seahawks’ offense didn’t miss a beat. When Walker was there, Charbonnet did well when he stepped in.
Will that change in 2025? It’s not a lock, but I like Charbonnet’s trajectory, who looked like a more efficient player. Walker is also entering a contract year, and as has been the case for much of the Seattle offense from 2024, the team isn’t afraid to make changes. Charbonnet is younger and will be back under contract in 2026. Could that transition begin more in earnest in 2025? I think it could, and it should.
The Case Against Zach Charbonnet
Walker isn’t gone, yet. The team is also changing Offensive Coordinators, moving on to Klint Kubiak, meaning it’s hard to take a lot from last season. This will be the third Offensive Coordinator and third offensive scheme in as many seasons for the Seahawks and their backfield. And through it all, Walker has been the lead back.
Walker has been the lead back in each of his three seasons with the Seahawks. In 2022 and 2023, he had more than 200 carries. He produced nearly 2,000 rushing yards in those seasons. And in both, he had a change-of-pace back that flashed at times. In 2022, that was Rashaad Penny. In 2023, it was Charbonnet as a rookie. Walker figures to go into this season as the RB1, too. And it could be a more run-friendly scheme, as it was in his first two seasons.
But what about it being a contract year? Just because that’s the case doesn’t mean that Walker is on his way out. The Seahawks let Tyler Lockett leave, and they traded D.K. Metcalf and Geno Smith, both of whom were in contract years. But they never gave an indication they planned to move on from Walker. Perhaps that’s because they felt secure with Charbonnet on the roster already. Perhaps it’s because they plan to keep the platoon together for as long as possible.
The Bottom Line
I like Charbonnet. He was my No. 3 running back coming into the 2023 NFL Draft, but he didn’t land in an ideal spot for production. That’s been the case through two years. But he’s made the most of limited touches, including last year. He’s looked explosive and has been more efficient than Walker. I like the potential of him taking another step up in 2025. But that’s not without risk. I have Walker and Charbonnet closer in my rankings because I think it could be a more even split, especially with Walker in a contract year and having a history of missing games. But if that doesn’t pan out, Charbonnet might not get enough volume to be a consistent presence in your lineup.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
