Chris Carson Return to Seahawks is Ideal for 2021 Fantasy Outlook

Chris Carson returning to the Seahawks was the perfect spot for his 2021 fantasy outlook. The floor is proven, and his ceiling could be so much higher if Russ truly cooks in 2021.

Similar to Aaron Jones, a return home was the ideal move for Chris Carson and his 2021 fantasy outlook. The Seahawks offered the highest floor/ceiling combo of all Carson’s potential landing spots. Now, Carson owners can expect the same sturdy fantasy production of the past three seasons, and perhaps a ceiling exists for even more.

As the Seahawks lead horse, Carson has been the RB16, RB13, and RB14 in FPPG the past two years. He’s a decisive, bruising bull with a surprising burst to match his strength – a combination that makes him deadly at the stripe. Even with missing time, Carson’s scored 9 TDs in three straight years, a scoring floor that seems highly sustainable with the Seahawks tallying a rushing TD all but twice in 2020.

Carson not only is consistent year-to-year, but also week-to-week. Over the two years, Carson has finished as a Top-24 RB in 20 of 27 games played (74%), while falling below 10 FPs in just three appearances (11%). Having a weekly locked-in RB2, for a third-fourth round price, is a huge edge. Especially when Carson is plenty capable of RB1 games — 42% of the time he was Top-12 last year.

But Wolf, you may worry, isn’t the foolishly run-obsessed OC Brian Schottenheimer gone?! Could that ruin Carson’s high floor if someone smart decides to *gulp* let Russ cook?

This isn’t an unrealistic consideration after the Seahawks brought in the Rams’ passing-game coordinator to run the show. But did you miss the lead where I said “a ceiling exists for even more?”

A move to a higher-powered, pass-based offense would be a huge benefit to Carson. Sure, his total volume may take a slight hit. But the quality of the touches he does receive would increase exponentially; specifically, more TDs and reception opportunities. Carson boasts reliable hands and some dangerous after-the-catch (re: bulldozer with a head of steam) abilities. An uptick in passing volume would be huge.

Consider this:  Russ was truly cookin’ through nine weeks; Carson was healthy for the first five of those. In that span, he averaged 20 FPs and was the RB5. He hauled in at least 3 receptions in all five games, a total of 21 receptions, while totaling 6 TDs.

Carson’s 16 game pace of this output: 262 touches (67 rec), 1373 YFS (925 rush), and 19.2 TDs. His 320 FPs would’ve been more points than every RB outside of Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, and Derrick Henry.

After seeing both the floor and ceiling Carson has displayed in Seattle, how could you not consider this a huge win for his value? I have Carson as my RB16, just behind D’Andre Swift and Antonio Gibson, and just ahead of James Robinson and Miles Sanders. He’s my ideal RB2and the perfect third-round pick for an RB-WR-RB or a serviceable RB1 for a Kelce-WR-RB start.

Check out The Wolf’s latest 2021 Fantasy Football Big Board & Rankings to see where all these players and more fall after 2021 NFL Free Agency!

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Author

  • Founder of Roto Street Journal. Lover of workhorse backs, target hog wideouts, and Game of Thrones. Aspiring to be the "Brady" and "Leo" of the fantasy universe.

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