Making the Case
Making The Case For Kenneth Walker
✅ ELITE College Prospect
✅ ELITE Tackle-Breaker
✅ ELITE Athlete
✅ Highly-Drafted Early-Declare
✅ Workhorse Volume
✅ Underrated Receiver
✅ Situationally-Depressed 2024
✅ Overblown “Committee” Concerns
✅ Incoming Scheme Change
✅ Relative RB-Value
✅ Market Timing
Kenneth “K9” “Ken Bone” Walker is a screaming BUY in fantasy football.
Let me tell you all of the reasons why.
For starters – Kenneth Walker was an ELITE college prospect.
He was involved (& highly-efficient) as a true freshman at Wake Forest (98/579/4, 5.9 YPC).
He put up 13 rushing TD’s in just 8 games as a sophomore.
& a whopping 263/1636/18 as a junior at Michigan State (2nd in the NCAA in rushing yards).
Walker was excellent after-contact – posting 4.32, 3.83, & 4.46 YAC/attempt in 3 seasons (career 4.27 YAC/attempt).
He led the NCAA in missed-tackles forced (88) as a junior.
& had the 4th highest breakaway-rate in the NCAA (53.9%).
PFF gave him 84.4, 85.0, & 90.7 Rushing Grades in 3 seasons.
Walker is also an ELITE athlete.
He posted a 4.38 40 at 5’9”/211 – giving him a 96th percentile Speed Score (114.7), via PlayerProfiler.
Not to mention – Walker has already proven his ability as an NFL workhorse.
He received 228 carries in just 15 games as an NFL rookie, 219 carries in 15 games his 2nd year, & 153 carries in 11 games last year.
Walker has a full-season pace of 235+ carries every season of his career.
“K9’s” elite tackle-breaking ability has also transferred to the pros.
Walker is 2nd behind Derrick Henry in missed tackles forced (203) since entering the NFL.
& 3rd behind only De’Von Achane & Bucky Irving in MTF/touch (28.9%).
Walker has received 84.8, 85.3, & 91.2 PFF Rushing Grades in 3 NFL seasons (3rd highest – behind only Derrick Henry & Bijan Robinson in 2024).
He has received an 84.0+ PFF Rushing Grade in 6/6 NCAA + NFL seasons.
Walker also took a MASSIVE step forward as a receiver in 2024 – posting 46 receptions on 53 targets in 11 games: a full-season pace of 71 receptions on 81 targets.
Walker’s 4.82 targets/game in 2024 ranked 3rd amongst RB’s – behind only Alvin Kamara (6.36) & De’Von Achane (5.12).
Walker was the RB12 in PPG (16.5) & tied for the RB4 in expected PPG (17.2) – including an injury-game.
& that was with the 2nd worst-graded offensive-line in the NFL (behind only the NE Patriots) – via PFF.
Because Walker has missed time to injury & his backup (Zach Charbonnet) has played well in those games – we’ve seen growing concerns about a potential “committee.”
But Charbonnet did not see more than 10 touches in a single game Kenneth Walker played in last year.
“Charbs” has not seen more than 10 touches in a single game Kenneth Walker has started (& finished) once in his entire 33-game career.
New OC Klint Kubiak also brings his “Shanahan scheme” to SEA.
It’s possible (if not likely) a scheme change benefits Walker in 2024.
Alvin Kamara posted a career-high in rushing yards (950) & his highest receiving total (538) in the past 4 years with Klint Kubiak at OC last year.
Walker has statistically been better on outside zone concepts throughout his career – & Kubiak has already spoken highly of him.
When you look at the way Walker is valued vs Breece Hall…
It just doesn’t add up.
Kenneth Walker is TOO CHEAP.
I’d also be looking to pivot from Bucky Irving to Kenneth Walker+
& I’d sell Derrick Henry for Walker straight-up (any “plus” is a bonus).
I’d also argue “K9” is in the same tier (or higher) than every non-Jeanty rookie RB.
Yet Walker’s valued towards the bottom of the class – barely worth the 1.07.
Pivoting from the non-Jeanty RB’s to Kenneth Walker+ is an EASY way to insulate.
Any legit “plus” is free money.
Walker could easily end up being “the best” Dynasty RB asset of that bunch.
This is also the PERFECT time to buy proven veteran producers in dynasty.
We’re in peak rookie-hype season, with rookie picks valued at their highest, & proven veterans valued at their lowest.
NOW is the time to extract value.
(Chart courtesy of @ekballer)
I’d start by packaging late 1’s + 2025 3’s, or by throwing a package of 2025 2’s at the Walker owner.
Set the bar low & work your way up – you never know what kind of discount you may be able to find.
I’m also SMASHING Walker at his RB19/58 overall redraft/bestball ADP.
He is currently my most-drafted RB.
ALL-IN.
