Kenneth Walker NFL Rookie Profile - Fantasy Football Running Back Outlook

May 2, 2022

Phil Clark's fantasy football rookie analysis for running back Kenneth Walker III. Is this NFL rookie running back a 2022 fantasy football draft sleeper?

The impending arrival of each rookie class reignites an annual surge of interest in these first-year players that galvanizes the fantasy community. This also serves as a catalyst for fantasy managers and analysts to immerse themselves in a detailed evaluation of each new class. This includes determining their strengths and weaknesses, studying their statistical achievements at the collegiate level, and delving into analytics that can contribute to the assessments of each player.

The process has recently intensified surrounding this year's class of running backs, which has been escorted into the fantasy landscape by Breece Hall. Kenneth Walker III has also remained embedded among the most intriguing members of the 2022 class while residing directly below Hall on the list of this year’s most preeminent options at his position.

Interest in Walker surged following his breakout season at Michigan State in 2021, then became robust after the NFL Combine. Seattle's selection of Walker in Round 2 of the NFL Draft became the final element that has fueled his rising stock. His prospects of rewarding the Seahawks for their investment will be examined in this profile, as will his potential to operate as a valuable resource for managers. Once you're done here, be sure to also read our other profiles and in-depth breakdowns for this year's other fantasy football rookies.

Kenneth Walker NFL Rookie Profile

Team: Seattle Seahawks
College: Michigan State
Height/Weight/Age:  5’-9”, 212, 21 (10/20/2000)
2022 NFL Draft: Round: 2, Pick: 41

Kenneth Walker's Path To A Second-Round Selection

Walker generated 4,466 total yards and 71 touchdowns at Arlington (Tennessee) high school while accumulating nearly 500 attempts (493) and generating 3,408 yards (113.6 per game) on the ground. He also exceeded 100 yards in 13 different contests during his high school career, while accumulating 41 rushing touchdowns, and accruing 64 receptions, 1,058 yards, and 16 touchdowns as a pass-catcher.

Arlington @tigersarlington Tigers Kenneth Walker finds big hole in Bartlett defense, hustles upfield for the TD Friday. pic.twitter.com/Y3LHKANlWY

— Bryan Fenley (@BryanFenley) October 22, 2016

Walker assembled 1,205 yards (109.5 per game) and 17 rushing touchdowns as a junior before encountering blood clots in his lungs. This presented a significant health issue, as Walker was initially told that he would not be cleared to play for nine months. However, Walker recovered in time to perform during his senior year (2018) and generated 1,326 additional yards (165.8 per game/6.6 per attempt) and 17 touchdowns on 200 carries.  He was rated as a 3-star back by 24/7Sports and eventually enrolled at Wake Forest - which was the only Power 5 school to extend an offer.

Kenneth Walker's Promising Results At Wake Forest

Walker enrolled at Wake Forest in December of that same year and seized a role in the Demon Deacons’ offense as a freshman in 2019.

The highest graded true freshman running back in 2019:

Wake Forest's Kenneth Walker III - 80.8 pic.twitter.com/ixbl2KeBtD

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) May 26, 2020

He finished third on the team in attempts (98/7.5 per game), second in rushing yardage (579/44.5 per game), and produced four touchdowns.

A name I didn’t really mention until my #CFF dynasty drafts were over. More of a long play, didn’t expect anything this season.

True freshman Kenneth Walker with a Wake Forest school record 96-yard TD run. pic.twitter.com/UxasBt4t3W

— Brad McDaniel (@DW_BMack) September 7, 2019

Walker also finished second in both categories during 2020 (119 attempts/14.9 per game), (579 yards/72.4 per game). However, his touchdown total rose significantly, as he generated a team-high 13 during a seven-game season. That total vaulted him to third in the ACC behind only Javonte Williams and Travis Etienne.

Wake Forest was utilizing a slow mesh RPO offense during Walker's tenure, which involves a methodical start to each play. This provides additional time for the quarterback to read the defense, and the Demon Deacons have been successful with this strategy under head coach Dave Clawson and offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero. However, this approach was not conducive to maximizing Walker's strengths. He ultimately placed his name in the transfer portal, and Michigan State’s former running backs coach William Peagler noticed Walker’s big-play capabilities while examining tape. This became a sizable factor in the school’s decision to pursue Walker.

Kenneth Walker Excelling At Michigan State

HE WOULD NOT BE STOPPED!

Kenneth Walker III with a 94-yard TD run, the longest play from scrimmage in Michigan State football history pic.twitter.com/VAIfOa6bUw

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 9, 2021

Walker’s decision to transfer allowed him to flourish at Michigan State, as his burst, decisiveness and one-cut capabilities were advantageous in the Spartans’ attack. He commandeered lead back responsibilities after he resurfaced in East Lansing and his numbers skyrocketed. Walker was entrusted with 20+ carries during nine of his 12 matchups and averaged 21.9 per game during the season. He eventually accumulated 263 attempts, which placed him eighth overall. That was also the second-highest total among all backs in the Big 10.

Kenneth Walker III breaks free for a 75 yard TD. Michigan State didn’t score a rushing TD last season. They scored one on the first play from scrimmage this season.

MICHIGAN STATE 7
NORTHWESTERN 0

pic.twitter.com/IzomALpvvQ

— Brendan Moore (@bmoorecfb) September 4, 2021

Walker achieved immediate success for the Spartans, by bolting for a 75-yard touchdown on his first rushing attempt. He also produced four touchdowns during his debut - which was one of three games in which he scored at least three times.

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟏'𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: Kenneth Walker III of @MSU_Football

◽ Rushed for a career-high 264 yards and a career-high 4 touchdowns
◽ Sprinted for a 75-yard touchdown on the opening play#B1GFootballpic.twitter.com/SjPhzFoYl0

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 8, 2021

Walker continued to thrive with his extensive workload throughout the season, while soaring to second among all backs in rushing yardage (1,636), and also in yards per game (137.2). Walker also led the Big 10 yards in rushing yardage and surpassed 100 yards in eight different games - after only accomplishing that feat five times during his first two seasons combined. He also accumulated 230+ in two matchups, including his season-high 264 during the season opener.

He finished the year with 18 touchdowns, which placed him eighth overall, and second in the Big 10. Walker also paced all FBS backs in rushing yards after contact (1,168) and was second in 89 missed forced tackles (89), according to PFF.

Most forced missed tackles in a season by a Big Ten RB:

1️⃣ Kenneth Walker (2021) - 89
2️⃣ Jonathan Taylor (2019) - 87pic.twitter.com/QlrtUrACIK

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 11, 2022

Walker also became the first Michigan State player to be named the Walter Camp National Player of the Year, while he was also the first Spartan to win the Doak Walker Award --which is annually presented to the best running back in college football. Walker also became a unanimous first-team All-American and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.

Kenneth Walker III wins the Walter Camp Award as the most outstanding player in college football 👏 @MSU_Football pic.twitter.com/IGuauxTqG7

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 10, 2021

Encouraging Numbers for Kenneth Walker at the NFL Combine 

One of the best RBs in college last season just clocked in at 4.46u on his first run.@Kenneth_Walker9 | @MSU_Football

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/0RHBfMQEh3

— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2022

Walker was among the 36 running backs who participated at the NFL Combine, and he elevated his draft stock even further during the events. His most critical performance occurred during the 40-yard dash, which Walker completed in 4.38. That tied him for third among all backs.

At 5-foot-9-1/4 & 211 lbs, @MSU_Football's Kenneth Walker III ran an official 4.38-second 40-yard dash, helping him earn an "elite" 90 athleticism score by the NGS Draft model.

Walker III currently ranks 2nd among the 2022 RB class with a 79 overall score.#NextGenScores pic.twitter.com/eR5Eey2jBG

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 5, 2022

He also finished among the top-10 in the broad jump (34”) and the vertical jump (10'2"), as the favorable results during these events accelerated Walker’s positive momentum entering the NFL Draft.

Kenneth Walker, RB

75th-percentile BMI✅
98th-percentile 40-Yard✅
96th-percentile Speed Score✅
99th-percentile College Dominator✅

He's the RB2 in the 2022 class😤#nfl #football #nflcombine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/gSUbvlzslt

— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) March 8, 2022

Kenneth Walker's Opportunity To Thrive In Seattle's Backfield 

Green looks good on you 😉

Welcome to Seattle, @Kenneth_Walker9!#GoHawks x @lumentechco pic.twitter.com/yyv5Nz9r7W

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 29, 2022

Walker was the second back to be selected during the NFL Draft when Seattle secured him with the 41st overall pick. He also became the 14th back to be drafted in Round 2 since 2017, while expanding a list that includes Jonathan Taylor (2020), D'Andre Swift (2020), Dalvin Cook (2017), Joe Mixon (2017), and Javonte Williams (2021). 

The level of success that has been attained by this collection of second-round selections has varied. However, the majority of backs in this group have become critical resources for their teams, and valuable point producers for fantasy managers. Six of these backs finished among the top-17 in PPR scoring last season, while injuries precluded Cam Akers and J.K. Dobbins from having the opportunity to join them. All eight of those rushers also have ADPs in the top-50 of current drafts and are being selected between RB1-RB21.

Walker’s prospects of attaining similar success in his new environment will not be inhibited by his team’s offensive philosophy, as Pete Carroll’s steadfast devotion to the ground game has been well-chronicled. The Seahawks’ use of zone blocking will enable Walker to capitalize on his patience, vision, and explosiveness, while also bolstering his chances of quickly attaining a consistent role. He will be operating behind an offensive line that finished with a power ranking of 23rd in run blocking from Football Outsiders.

However, the unit is undergoing an offseason transformation, after Carroll promoted former run game coordinator Andy Dickerson to offensive line coach. Dickerson had joined the Seahawks in 2021, after serving as the assistant offensive line coach for the Rams from 2012-2020.

Veteran tackles Duane Brown and Brandon Shell remain unsigned, but the Seahawks addressed the position in the NFL Draft. Former Mississippi State Bulldog Charles Cross was selected with the ninth overall pick, and the 6’5”, 305- pound Cross could easily emerge as the starter at left tackle. Seattle also secured 6’6”, 325 pound Abraham Lucas in Round 3 (72nd overall) and he should compete with Jake Curhan for the starting job at right tackle.

The Seahawks' focus on assembling resources to fortify their rushing attack was also demonstrated by the team's failure to select a quarterback during the draft. This currently leaves Drew Lock and Geno Smith cemented in the first two spots on Seattle’s depth chart. It also underscores the team’s unwavering commitment to the run which will be extremely beneficial to Walker.

Kenneth Walker's Competition For Touches 

Walker has not surfaced in a landing spot that contains an unquestioned lead back and is likely to commandeer a significant workload as the season advances. However, the potential does exist that Seattle’s backfield rotation could degenerate into a committee, with the vast majority of opportunities being distributed between Walker and Rashaad Penny.

Seattle's running back room now:

Chris Carson
Rashaad Penny
Kenneth Walker
DeeJay Dallas
Travis Homer

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 29, 2022

Penny will return for his fifth season with the Seahawks, after signing a one-year contract in March. His tenure with the team had been ladened with extended absences and frequent disappointment from 2018- 2020 as an assortment of injuries (hand/knee/hamstring/calf/leg) has sidelined him for 21 games. He also averaged just 5.96 attempts and 30.5 yards per game during that sequence and appeared to be destined for similar results last season. However, after averaging 5.4 carries and an infinitesimal 15.6 yards per game from Weeks 1-13, a script that had become all too familiar was suddenly altered. Penny erupted unexpectedly from Weeks 14-18, as the former first-round pick soared to the league lead in rushing yardage (671/134.2 per game) while generating a league-best 407 yards after contact, and accumulating six touchdowns.

RASHAAD PENNY TO THE HOUSE!!

Touchdown Seahawks!

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/mQAoPgz8kL

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 10, 2022

Penny’s statistical surge vaulted him to second overall in Football Outsiders’ DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average). This might provide a reason for trepidation if you are considering Walker during your draft process. However, Penny's late-season achievements did not dissuade the Seahawks from investing a Round 2 selection on Walker, nor did it compel the team to secure Penny beyond 2022.

Penny's expanded production also transpired during the extended absence of Chris Carson, The five-year veteran had paced Seattle in attempts, rushing yardage, and rushing touchdowns during each of Penny's first three seasons while averaging 222 carries (16.2 per game), 1,021 yards (74.7 per game), and seven touchdowns during that span. He was also leading the Seahawks in each category from Weeks 1-4 during 2021 (13.5 attempts per game/58 yards per game/three touchdowns).

Unfortunately, any discussion about Carson will inevitably require a mention of his injury history (hip/foot/neck), which has left him unavailable during 32 contests since he entered the league in 2017. This process continued last season as a protracted neck injury kept him affixed to the sideline from Weeks 5-18. He also underwent cervical-fusion surgery in November, and his status remains unclear entering the final year of his contract.

Alex Collins elevated into lead back duties during the first seven weeks of Carson’s absence and led Seattle in attempts (88/12.6 per game) and rushing yardage (318/45.4 per game). Collins also tied for 15th in attempts from Weeks 5-11 (81/13.5  per game), but he finished 22nd in yardage during those contests (304/50.7 per game).

If you extract the season-high 101 yards that accumulated in Week 6, Collins averaged just 40.6 per game during his remaining matchups in that sequence. Collins contended with an abdomen issue while Penny was functioning with an extensive workload (18.4 attempts per game), and the Seahawks eschewed the option of re-signing him during the offseason. This has eliminated Collins from the backfield equation.

Kenneth Walker Fantasy Football Outlook

Let’s Get It💚#GoHawks #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/qK8UFFESkZ

— 𝒦ℰ𝒩𝒩ℰ𝒯ℋ 𝒲𝒜ℒ𝒦ℰℛ ℐℐℐ🤍 (@Kenneth_Walker9) April 30, 2022

Walker’s balance and vision will blend favorably with his aforementioned burst and decisiveness toward propelling him into an early-down role. His strengths will also be advantageous as he operates in Seattle’s zone-blocking scheme. This should accelerate the timeline for Walker to seize an immediate and consistent workload despite the presence of Penny and (possibly) Carson. His speed and tendency to elude unnecessary contact will also allow him to extend runs, and generate big plays.

Questions surrounding Walker’s proficiency as a receiver and pass-blocker have emerged, although that was unavoidable following his tenure in two offenses that minimized the involvement of backs in those areas. He was limited to 13 receptions and 89 receiving yards last season, although no other member of the Spartans’ backfield surpassed seven catches or 35 yards.

He only captured six receptions and manufactured 47 yards as a pass-catcher with Wake Forest, but no other back exceeded six receptions or 42 yards during either of his two seasons as a Demon Deacon.

It would be premature to completely dismiss Walker’s prospects of becoming involved in passing downs solely due to his limited opportunities at the collegiate level. However, there is no assurance that he can exhibit sufficient skills as a pass-catcher or demonstrate the dependability in protection to be entrusted with snaps on passing downs.

Even if Walker is unable to earn frequent snaps on passing downs, the convergence of his skills as a rusher should propel him to a sizable touch total on early downs. This should also result in consistent opportunities near the goal line. Collins garnered 62.5% of the Seahawks’ red zone carries from Weeks 5-13 last season but did not register a snap from Weeks 14-18. Penny commandeered 52.2% of the red zone attempts during Seattle’s remaining matchups, while only DeeJay Dallas accrued over one carry during that span.

Yes, the Seahawks took a RB in the draft.

Because Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer are all free agents next offseason.

The only RB under contract for 2023 is DeeJay Dallas.

— John P Gilbert (@JohnPGilbertNFL) April 29, 2022

Penny's presence supplies a legitimate threat to Walker's workload when the season launches. However, Penny's extensive history of prolonged absence should not be dismissed. Carson is the consummate wild card during his lengthy recovery from neck surgery, and the fact that neither back is under contract beyond 2022 should bolster your confidence in targeting Walker during your upcoming drafts.

The longest rush at Michigan State is 94 yards. The longest rush at Wake Forest is 96 yards.
One player holds both records.

That legend is Kenneth Walker III. #FunFactFriday pic.twitter.com/fxoHPbVXSp

— CFB Home (@CFBHome) April 15, 2022

Walker should operate in a rotation with Penny at the onset of the season, but his workload should expand as the year progresses. He should function as an RB2 for fantasy managers after he has seized lead-back responsibilities. This makes him a viable target in Round 6 for anyone who is building a roster in redraft leagues. He also will not turn 22 until October and is primed to accumulate carries and yardage in an offense that retains a resolute commitment to the run. That elevates him to a top-four option in rookie drafts if you are assembling rosters in dynasty leagues.

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