Zach Charbonnet — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

Charbonnet came to the NFL with the tools to handle a full workload. He's a patient runner with enough burst to threaten defenses in open space, but his vision in congested areas is a weaker point in his skill set. He needs a step or two to fully hit his top gear. His work as a route runner and pass protector both project as strengths, giving him a well-rounded profile that earns him a significant role in Seattle's backfield rotation.

His final two seasons at UCLA were impressive (459 touches producing 3,014 combined yards, 27 touchdowns, and 61 catches). Three outings stood out above the rest: 22/198/1, 259 combined yards with three touchdowns and five catches, and 219 combined yards with three touchdowns and nine catches.

As a rookie, Charbonnet tallied 671 combined yards, one touchdown, and 33 catches on 141 touches, but his receiving efficiency was underwhelming (6.3 yards per catch). Seattle handed him starting snaps from Week 11 through Week 13, and he responded with 226 combined yards, one touchdown, and 11 catches on 59 touches (13.20 FPPG in PPR formats). Charbonnet saw fewer than 10 touches in 10 games and was on the field for 45.5% of the team's offensive snaps.

In his second season, Charbonnet edged out Kenneth Walker in PPR scoring (187.50 to 181.50), helped by Walker missing time, finishing with nearly identical opportunities and output across the board (135 carries for 569 yards and eight touchdowns, plus 42 catches for 340 yards and one score). His efficiency numbers (4.2 yards per carry, 8.1 yards per catch) were solid, but the box scores told a frustrating story. He delivered just two dominant performances (18/91/2 with three catches for 16 yards, and 22/134/2 with seven catches for 59 yards). After Week 3, he topped 14.00 fantasy points just once (38.30) and landed at 6.00 points or fewer in seven outings.

Year three in the Seahawks’ offense, Charbonnet had the reverse outcome from what was expected. He developed into a scoring edge (12 TDs) but lost his momentum and opportunity in the passing game (20/144 – 42/340/1 in 2024). His best fantasy value came in Week 7 (19.50), Week 16 (17.40), Week 17 (26.20), and Week 18 (18.70). Despite setting career highs in touches (204), Charbonnet scored fewer than 10.00 fantasy points in eight of his 17 games. His season ended in the second round of the postseason due to a torn ACL in his left knee that required surgery in late February.