Kevin Szafraniec highlights a running back who displayed explosive upside as a rookie but will still have to play to the top of his potential if he plans on becoming a fantasy star in Year 2.
Kenneth Walker was positioned to become a fantasy star in his second season after putting his dynamic athleticism on full display during his strong rookie year.
Sadly, the Seattle front office had other plans. The following offseason, the Seahawks drafted Zach Charbonnet in the second round, effectively putting a cap on Walker’s ceiling. The two backs toiled to reach low-end RB2 territory over the next couple of years. It was not until Charbonnet tore his ACL in this year’s playoffs that Walker was able to reach his true potential in a workhorse role, ultimately bringing home the Super Bowl MVP in February.
In 2025, we were introduced to another dynamic back who appears to have all the talent in the world, yet a congested depth chart severely capped his NFL debut. Despite the roadblocks he faced, we were still able to get more than a few glimpses of what this electric talent can offer when he is at his best. Now, the biggest question fantasy managers face is whether or not his coaches will lean into the young runner’s explosive upside enough to usher in a Year 2 breakout.
Be sure to check out the previous installments of the 2025 Rookie Review Series:
- The Next Breece Hall, But in a Better Offense?
- Tee Higgins 2.0 or Something More?
- Is it Burrow or Bust for This Polarizing QB?
- Is the Next Austin Ekeler Hiding in Plain Sight?
- The 2025 Rookie Who Could Follow CeeDee Lamb’s Career Arc
- A Josh Jacobs Ceiling with Roadblocks Galore
- Any Hope for a Year 2 Breakout from This Underperforming WR?
Volume 1 of the 2026 RotoViz Rookie Draft Guide is out now! Jam-packed with comprehensive player profiles, advanced stats, player comps, strategies, and rankings from the RotoViz staff, it is a must-have for every fantasy manager who wants to crush their best ball, dynasty, and redraft leagues in 2026!
Keep an eye out for Volume 2, scheduled to release following the NFL Combine, and Volume 3, which will drop after the 2026 NFL Draft!
