Thomas Rawls Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Seahawks aren't guaranteeing RB Thomas Rawls the 2016 starting job.  "He definitely has the talent to do it," GM John Schneider said. "But we're going to get a couple of people in there to compete with him."  Seattle has built its organization around competition, so this shouldn't come as a surprise.  Rawls is a former undrafted free agent with just 7 starts under his belt.  But he was a flat-out beast in those games, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and scoring 5 total TDs.  As long as Rawls can get over the broken ankle that ended his season, he'll be the heavy favorite to win the starting gig.

ESPN's Sheil Kapadia confirms that Thomas Rawls is set to "take the lead" in the Seahawks backfield going forward.  Seattle "will fill in complementary pieces" around Rawls, Kapadia adds.  RB Christine Michael is a restricted free agent and a good bet to return.  RB Fred Jackson is an unrestricted free agent and probably won't be back.  Who Seattle adds to the backfield beyond that will help determine just how high Rawls belongs in 2016 fantasy football rankings. 

Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls will miss the rest of the season with a broken ankle suffered in Sunday's win over the Ravens.  HC Pete Carroll labeled RB Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) "week to week" on Friday, so he doesn't seem like a good bet to be back for Week 15.  That'd leave Seattle's backfield to DuJuan Harris and Fred Jackson.  Harris out-carried Jackson 18 to 7 today and will be in the RB3 mix for a plus matchup against the Browns next week.

Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls injured his ankle in the 1st quarter of Sunday's game and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the afternoon.  That hints at a potentially serious injury.  We'll update Rawls' status when we learn more.  With RB Marshawn Lynch inactive, Seattle is left with RBs Fred Jackson and DuJuan Harris.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Vikings DT Linval Joseph is expected to miss Sunday's game because of a foot injury. DT Sharrif Floyd will slide over to Joseph's NT spot, with Tom Johnson entering the lineup in Floyd's place. Missing Joseph -- who has particularly stood out in recent weeks -- certainly hurts the Vikings D. It can only help the fantasy outlook for Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls against an already shaky Minnesota run D.

ESPN's Terry Blount believes RB Christine Michael is on the roster bubble heading to training camp.  The 2013 2nd-rounder boasts an elite combination of size and athleticism but has yet to carve out a significant role in Seattle.  Michael has totaled just 52 carries for 254 scoreless yards through 2 NFL seasons.  Blount adds that the 'Hawks are high on undrafted rookie RB Thomas Rawls, who could push Michael off the roster.  "He needs to do everything right in camp or he might find his days in Seattle have ended," Blount writes of Michael. "Maybe the Seahawks could trade him for a late-round pick if they decide Rawls is the better option."  A fresh start elsewhere might be best for Michael.  He's still worth holding in keeper and dynasty leagues.