Pro Football Focus misses the mark on naming Seattle Seahawks' best overall value player

The Seattle Seahawks have done a nice job of retooling their roster in 2025.

They have created a comfortable amount of salary cap space after offloading some hefty contracts, and have a nice blend of young and veteran players. While naming all 32 NFL team's best overall value players based on production and what they're getting paid, Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema identified running back Kenneth Walker III for Seattle.

From Sikkema: "You look at Kenneth Walker, when he's healthy, he's what you're looking for in a running back. His $2.7 million on the cap this year is only 34th among running backs. So you're talking about a second-round pick not making a ton (of money). If he can carry over a full season what he had last year, the fourth-best rushing grade in the league at 91.3, tied with Josh Jacobs for fourth. So when you look at what Walker can give you when he's on the field, he's really good. They just have to get this offensive line going. And I do wonder how much better he can be in (offensive coordinator) Clint Kubiak's system, coming in with the outside zone schemes and really wanting to run the football."

PFF's Dalton Wasserman disagreed with Sikkema's choice of Walker, saying he would have went with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

From Wasserman: "I get worried with Walker because over the last three years, not only has he missed time, not even (necessarily) hurt, he has been unavailable at times, he's also gone down in efficiency. I think the forced missed tackles went down. I think the yards after contact went down. I think the yards per attempt average all went down for him over the last three seasons. And so I get a little bit worried about that. I think I would have went with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, because I think he's going to be their guy moving forward. And I think he's making like $3.3 million on his rookie contract."

I tend to agree with Wasserman's take. Smith-Njigba solidified himself as a legitimate No. 1 WR in 2024 after catching 100 passes for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl selection. 

As for Walker, he hasn't been able to build off the success of his rookie season when he rushed for 1,050 yards and nine TDs. To his credit, he did set a career high in receptions in 2024 with 46, but his 3.7 yards per carry average was very subpar.