SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 11 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 11 vs. Atlanta Falcons

Thomas Rawls played the most snaps last week and carried the ball 10 times, but he still has not established himself as the Seahawks No. 1 running back. In fact, J.D. McKissic could get more time this week. Rawls will face the Falcons defense that is 14th in aFPA to running backs, but the Seattle running back situation is a mess and for that reason, don't play Rawls or any Seattle back for Week 11.

Friday, November 17, 2017 - 11:12am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 10 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 10 at Arizona Cardinals

Thomas Rawls had a season-high 70 yards from the line of scrimmage last week. Over the last two weeks, he has played over 50% of the snaps. That's more than any Seahawks running back, including Eddie Lacy, who was expected to be the featured back last week but injured his groin and is unlikely to play anytime soon. That means Rawls is the No. 1 Seahawks running back for now.

Seattle faces the Cardinals, who are ranked ninth in aFPA to running backs. We expect C.J. Prosise, who has been injured, to cut into some of Rawls' carries, otherwise he would be more relevant. Rawls ranks as a low-end RB3 or flex play this week.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 - 11:24am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 9 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 9 vs. Washington Redskins

Thomas Rawls played most of the snaps last week but he only carried the ball six times. The Seahawks were throwing the ball all over the field so that had something to do with it. For Week 9, Coach Pete Carroll told the media that Eddie Lacy would be the primary back this week against the Redskins who are 8th in aFPA to running backs.

That mean Rawls might not get many more touches than last week. This pushes him to your bench this week. He should not be in your starting lineup.

Friday, November 3, 2017 - 11:43am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 8 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 8 vs. Houston Texans

The Seattle running back situation has been the most volatile this season. It seems we never know who is going to be the go-to guy every week. The carries were split three ways last week with Thomas Rawls playing 39% of the snaps. He also 12 touches which was the same amount as Eddie Lacy so it appears a platoon situation is happening with the 'Hawks.

Rawls faces an excellent Houston run defense that is 3rd in aFPA to running backs. That factor with the uncertainty of the RB situation, Rawls should remain on your bench against the Texans.

Friday, October 27, 2017 - 11:43am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 7 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 7 at New York Giants

It's been a revolving door for the Seattle running back situation. It appears Thomas Rawls is back on top, but that's not saying much. He only had 10 touches in the Rams game before the bye and has only 15 total touches on the season. But he is the team's best option at RB going into Week 7.

However, that's not enough to consider him for the starting lineup, as Eddie Lacy will also get carries and C.J. Prosise could return to be the third-down back. Keep Rawls on the bench this Sunday.

Friday, October 20, 2017 - 2:25am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 5 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 5 at Los Angeles Rams

Chris Carson, who has been No. 1 on the depth chart, is out for the season so Thomas Rawls moves up the list. He did not play last week, but is expected to split carries with Eddie Lacy.

So, Rawls is back in the fantasy picture and is a good waiver wire pickup for depth. He actually has a good matchup against the Rams who are last in aFPA to running backs. But if you decide to pick up Rawls, he should stay on your bench as Lacy rates higher and Rawls has been untested in 2017.

Friday, October 6, 2017 - 11:52am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 3 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 3 at Tennessee Titans

Thomas Rawls returned from an ankle injury but only played 16 snaps and carried the ball five time for 4 yards. It appears rookie Chris Carson is the No. 1 back for now so Rawls has very little fantasy value at this time.

Friday, September 22, 2017 - 11:05am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 2 vs. San Francisco 49ers

Thomas Rawls was the No. 1 running back for Week 1 heading into the season opener, but didn't play as he has been nursing a bad ankle. He is expected to play Sunday and be the starter.

But how will coach Pete Carroll distribute the playing time at running back? Chris Carson actually played the most snaps followed up C.J. Prosise and then Eddie Lacy. Rawls should top all of them, but there are still a lot of running backs in Seattle.

The matchup is very good as the Niners run defense is bad. So, whoever gets the carries should be effective.

Start Rawls this week but only as a low-end RB3 or flex, but be cautious. We have to wait and get an idea of how much Seattle will use Rawls compared to the other backs.

Friday, September 15, 2017 - 11:36am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - Week 1 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 1 at Green Bay Packers

Reports coming out of Seattle this week say Thomas Rawls is the No. 1 back, which has not been the case in camp. Even if he has jumped ahead of Eddie Lacy, what does that mean?

We still think it means running back by committee and that means nobody can really be trusted from a fantasy standpoint. Keep Rawls on the bench and pay close attention to how Seattle uses their running backs in Week 1.

Friday, September 8, 2017 - 11:11am
SEA RB Thomas Rawls - 2017 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside

Thomas Rawls enters his third season with 16 career starts for the Seahawks. Although he is not the starter, Seattle still expects to use him to back-up starter Eddie Lacy, as the team's 1st- and 2nd-down back, while C.J. Prosise is expected to be the primary third-down back. Rawls has six career 100+ yard performances and averaged 13 carries per game the last nine games of the 2016 season for the 'Hawks.

Fantasy Downside

Although Rawls has a fairly impressive track record, it's a crowded backfield and Lacy is being given the first chance to carry the workload. So, assuming Lacy will fail or get hurt is probably not a good reason to draft Rawls. He also has to run behind an offensive line that will struggle in 2017. He averaged only 3.2 yards per carry last season.

2017 Bottom Line

Rawls' fantasy value heavily relies on Lacy getting hurt or being ineffective. Lacy does have a good track record but also has struggled with his weight and injuries. The door could open for Rawls, but it's only an 'if' at this time. He ranks 64th on the running back list and should be drafted for depth purposes only or as a handcuff to Lacy.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017 - 9:51pm

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