Ken Walker Ready For More Passing-Game Work

What They're Saying

“I think Ken grows every day. I think he gets better every single day. I think the sky’s the limit for him," Grubb said of Walker. "I think he’s a really, really talented, powerful back that’s a true three-tool guy. He's gonna be able to run the ball. Every run you got. He's gonna be able to catch the football. He's gonna be able to pass protect. And I think he's growing. He was a natural runner. He knew what to do with the ball in his hand. And now he's intelligent in the pass protection scheme. He works really hard at it. I think he's getting a lot better. And he’s electric out of the backfield as a pass-catcher.”

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

There's been a lot of positive buzz on Walker from the media recently. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer called him a three-down back in Grubb's offense. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote that Walker should surpass last year's carry total this season.

The quote from Grubb on Walker's passing-game ability is particularly noteworthy. Walker has been a productive runner through two pro seasons, averaging 65.2 yards and 0.57 TDs per game. But he's averaged just 1.9 catches and 14.1 receiving yards per game.

Bumping that receiving production would boost Walker's season-long upside and make him a more reliable weekly fantasy play.

Other Winners & Losers

More work for Walker, particularly in the passing game, would be bad news for RB Zach Charbonnet.

Charbonnet was a productive pass-catcher in college and finished with more targets (40 to 37) and catches (33 to 29) than Walker last year.

At this point, Charbonnet is looking more like a Walker handcuff than a standalone fantasy option.