Seattle Seahawks
QB Russell Wilson (QB - #25) - Gamble (high risk)
Wilson entered preseason as the dark horse in what Coach Carroll wanted us believe was a three-horse race with Tarvaris Jackson and Matt Flynn for the starter's job. The least experienced of the three, Wilson faced the longest odds to lead the team in September and looked at least a year or two away from getting his shot. All that has since changed. Wilson's outstanding pre-season performance has vaulted him past Flynn and made Tavaris Jackson (now a Buffalo Bill) expendable. But don't expect Flynn to roll over just yet. A QB battle between he and Wilson could last through the season.
UPDATE (8/26): Coach Pete Carroll announced Russell Wilson will be his opening day starter.
QB Matt Flynn (QB - #35) - Gamble (high risk)
Flynn was able to translate a body of NFL work that included only two regular season starts into a three-year deal with Seattle worth $19.5 million. He did set a Packers franchise record for passing yards in one of those games, so he's not going to fly under the fantasy radar.
UPDATE (8/26): Russell Wilson's outstanding pre-season performance has elevated the rookie to opening day starter. Don't expect Flynn to roll over just yet. A QB battle between the two could last through the season.
RB Marshawn Lynch (RB - #4) - Gamble (high risk)
Lynch had a career year in 2011 and it earned him a rich four-year contract extension. He was in line to carry the load again this season and was shaping up to be an early-round target in fantasy drafts until his July 14th arrest for driving under the influence.
UPDATE (7/27): Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio believes the NFL can't suspend Lynch without a guilty verdict in his DUI case. Lynch has pleaded not guilty and a lengthy court battle would at least help him avoid suspension in 2012.
RB Robert Turbin (RB - #59) - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)
Turbin is built like a tank and can move – at least on the track. Give him a little time to develop at the pro level and he should be a real chain-mover. He could very well enter the 2012 season as Marshawn Lynch's primary backup -- or replacement, if Lynch's DUI case leads to a suspension.
RB Leon Washington (RB - #70) - Deep-league Only
In leagues that reward return stats, Washington is a mainstay. He's in line to see more time in the backfield with the departure of Justin Forsett. Draft him as a return specialist; consider any additional rushing and receiving numbers as gravy.
RB Kregg Lumpkin (RB - #101) - Low Potential
With Tampa Bay last season he had more receptions than carries. Lumpkin should make Seattle's roster as a special-teamer and would be used as a third-down specialist if Leon Washington got injured.
WR Sidney Rice (WR - #42) - Quality Backup
Shoulder problems and three concussions cut short Rice's 2011 season, and serve as a black flag for owners shopping for receivers in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts this summer. Even if he's healthy his situation isn't ideal. Don't overpay for the name.
Update (8/8): Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com reports that newly signed Terrell Owens, a split end his entire career, has moved over to flanker. Rice and Owens look set to go head-to-head for a starting role.
WR Golden Tate (WR - #62) - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)
He finished strong last season filling in for Sidney Rice and flashed tremendous playmaking potential. Tate could land anywhere between WR1 and WR5 on Seattle's early season depth chart (though the team will find a way to keep him involved). He is an explosive playmaker who just needs to find his groove.
Update (8/8): Word from NFL.com that Terrell Owens has shifted to flanker seems to serve as a vote of confidence for Tate, who has a relatively clear path to the starting split end spot.
WR Braylon Edwards (WR - #74) - Gamble (high risk)
Edwards seems to have outlasted Terrell Owens in a battle of veteran receivers trying to cling to NFL viability. After offseason surgery, health remains a concern...as do the drops and off-the-field concerns that have limited Edwards throughout his playing career.
WR Doug Baldwin (WR - #93) - Bye Week Fill-in
Baldwin was quietly Seattle's most dependable receiver last season. The undrafted, unheralded rookie out of Stanford appeared in every game and emerged as a solid weapon in the slot. He should reprise that role this season and will have a chance to equal or surpass last year's numbers.
TE Zach Miller (TE - #24) - Deep-league Only
When the Seahawks signed Zach Miller last offseason, they expected he would provide an upgrade over pending free agent John Carlson; the numbers didn't bear out that expectation. Miller was a dud last season. Unless there's a sudden and major shift in Seattle's offensive philosophy, there's no reason to expect a dramatic turn around this year.
TE Evan Moore (TE - #36) - Deep-league Only
Waived by the Browns, Moore reportedly latched on with the Seahawks, who waived creaky veteran Kellen Winslow Jr. Moore flashed some fantasy potential in Cleveland. Monitor him now that he's in Starbucks land, though Zach Miller is currently the tight end to own in Seattle.
TE Kellen Winslow (TE - #45) - Bye Week Fill-in
Widely dismissed as damaged goods, Winslow couldn't find many suitors in the open market and landed in Seattle for next to nothing. Multiple knee surgeries have slowed him down over the past few seasons, though he's still managed to put up respectable stats. Expect his numbers to dip this season as he splits time with Zach Miller.
PK Steven Hauschka (K - #21) - Bye Week Fill-in
Hauschka did fine in his first full season as a starter and was rewarded with a one-year extension. He might be one to keep in mind in advance of your kicker's bye week, but likely isn't worth drafting in most fantasy leagues.
Injury Status: Injured Reserve
