Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and he is also a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
Scott finished as a top 15 player ranker in Fantasy Football Week 5 and as a top 10 ranker in Week 2 on FantasyPros.com. He was the No. 1 tight end ranker for Week 5.
The Seahawks took center stage from a fantasy football perspective this week, as their trade for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed made the biggest news splash before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. The former Saints speedster was already an established upside performer as a fantasy WR 3/4. Now his fantasy appeal gets a boost with his new team, while positively impacting other players around him.
Shaheed already ranked just outside the top 25 at WR with 104.4 total fantasy points in 2025. He logged four double-figure fantasy PPR performances in nine games with the Saints this year, including his last two played with the team. His fantasy value now gets elevated as he moves from the 22nd-ranked passing game in the league to the Seahawks' fourth-ranked attack.
Shaheed will be an ideal fit as a prime downfield weapon for Sam Darnold and a top complement for the most productive WR in fantasy football, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. According to PlayerProfiler, Shaheed already ranked ninth in the NFL in deep targets this season, He has averaged 14.9 yards per reception in his career, and averaged over 17 yards per reception in two of his four seasons so far.
Now Shaheed gets to work with Darnold, who leads the league in Explosive Play Rating for passers (124.8) and Deep Ball Completion Percentage (58.6). The Seahawks QB is also second in Deep Ball Catchable Pass Rate. Darnold ranks second in Air Yards Per Attempt and is fourth in Money Throws.
The fit could simply not be any better with one of the most dangerous big-play threats in the game and a QB who is thriving as a deep gunner while performing at an elite level overall. Pairing with Smith-Njigba will be an obvious advantage, as the Seahawks' breakout star commands so much defensive attention.
I now view Shaheed as a fantasy WR3 with a higher weekly statistical ceiling once he is fully involved in the flow of the Seahawks' passing game. Some of his spike weeks could be a key factor in wins down the stretch and in the playoffs in fantasy football.
I would not start Shaheed just yet in NFL Week 10, as this will be his first game with a new team. The Cardinals rank 18th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed, so we could see his immediate impact in real life as a glimpse of more to come. Increased production for fantasy purposes could come as soon as Week 11 in a major NFC West showdown with the Rams.
When you are faced with a close decision between Shaheed and any other fantasy WR3 or flex option, you can consider his upside as an advantage. His presence on the Seahawks' offense should ensure that JSN will continue to post excellent numbers, as Shaheed's insertion into the passing game will also help his new receiving partner. Now opposing secondaries must account for one of the biggest deeper threats in the game in addition to being concerned about Smith-Njigba.
The arrival of Shaheed may vault Darnold into pure fantasy QB1 territory. Plus, adding a major downfield playmaker can also help the running game. Kenneth Walker III ranks 33rd in the league in light box carry percentage (58.9) against opposing defensive fronts. With Robbie Ouzts also now back in the mix as a lead blocker, this could be a good time to trade for the Seahawks' RB.