Seattle’s preseason showcase suggested a fortified run game for 2025, as the Seahawks rolled 268 rushing yards on a rainy Week 2 night, with 120 yards coming across two drives and 77 before contact. The starting five of Josh Jones, Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell, Anthony Bradford and Abraham Lucas paved the way even without Charles Cross and Olu Oluwatimi, while yielding only one pressure in that stretch.

Five Seattle players logged 30+ rushing yards, signaling a deep and productive ground attack, paired with a clean 17-of-21 passing for 209 yards and two Jake Bobo scores. Bradford stood out, delivering six positive grades on 13 run blocks and remaining unscathed in 6 pass-blocking snaps, putting him on pace for elite overall grading pending final review.

The Chiefs rested several starters but still fielded a seasoned defense, and rookie Josh Simmons kept clean in pass protection. PFF’s postgame review and the early data snapshot point to Seattle’s offensive line and run scheme carrying momentum into the regular season, with Bobo expanding the aerial threat and Bradford anchoring the interior protection.

Kansas City rests a cluster of veterans in Week 2 of the preseason against Seattle, clearing a path for depth players and late-round prospects to audition behind Hollywood Brown, Briningstool, Deon Bush, Janarius Robinson, Ethan Driskell, and Kareem Hunt. Seattle mirrors the strategy, listing Olu Oluwatimi, Josh Ross, Charles Cross, Kenny McIntosh, Johnathan Hankins, Uchenna Nwosu, and Tyrice Knight as not expected to play. In such games, the fantasy angles shift toward the players fighting for backups, special-teams roles, and breakout opportunities in a game-script that emphasizes depth over stars.

With Brown and Hunt sidelined, Chiefs reps at wideout and backfield become more unpredictable, elevating backup receivers and rotational backs into potential late-round fantasy dice rolls. Seattle’s inactive list creates a similar vacuum along the offensive line and linebacking corps, where a few veterans could be eased in or pushed to star in a run-heavy, evaluative environment. Those watching for fantasy return value should focus on the depth chart movers who flash in extended opportunities, as preseason reps often foreshadow emerging roles come the regular season.

Keep in mind preseason inactives are subject to change and aren’t formalized the same way as regular-season lists. Rosters and playing time can shift an hour before kickoff, underscoring the value of quickly updating projections as the game unfolds.

The Seahawks roll into Friday’s showdown with the Chiefs banged up at center but encouraged by Kenneth Walker III’s return to practice. Olu Oluwatimi sat Tuesday, adding to an ongoing center competition that could ripple through Seattle’s run game. Seattle tied Las Vegas last week and is hunting its first preseason win this summer, while the Chiefs pose a stern test ahead of Week 2’s dress-rehearsal flavor in a three-game slate. Walker’s health remains the headline as Seattle weighs workload risk with the season looming.

Beyond the injury note, Seattle’s roster calculus is about balancing risk with upside. Oluwatimi’s absence tightens the center picture, while Williams’ retirement nostalgia hints at deeper offensive-line shuffles. If Walker suits up, expect a cautious touch—wise given his role in 2025 plans. The game serves as a critical gauge for depth and chemistry as August roster cuts approach.

Fantasy takeaway: watch Walker’s practice participation and likely usage. If he’s limited again, backup backs may catapult into flex considerations, while the O-line edge could tilt the run game’s efficiency. The Seahawks need stability in Week 2 to set the tone for the rest of the preseason and the opening weeks of the regular season.

As the Seattle Seahawks gear up for the 2025 NFL season, they find themselves in a favorable salary cap situation, boasting approximately $30.6 million in cap space. This financial flexibility is largely attributed to several team-friendly contracts across their roster, particularly notable as they prepare for training camp in less than three weeks.

Among the most valuable contracts is that of offensive lineman Olu Oluwatimi, drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His four-year rookie deal, which extends through 2026, positions him as a key player for the upcoming season, particularly as he is expected to secure the starting center position.

The Seattle Seahawks are entering a new phase with a young offensive line, placing significant trust in rookie players as they gear up for the upcoming NFL season. Grey Zabel, a first-round draft pick, is set to start at left guard, marking a shift toward youthful energy within the ranks. The competition for other starting positions remains fierce, with Olu Oluwatimi and Jalen Sundell vying for the center spot, while Anthony Bradford and Christian Haynes battle it out for the right guard position. Each of these athletes is still under their rookie contracts, highlighting the team’s investment in fresh talent. General Manager John Schneider's strategy includes selecting Bryce Cabeldue in the sixth round, aiming to bolster the team's offensive line depth.