The Thursday Night Football showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals brings plenty of intrigue for fantasy managers in Week 4. Both teams are on similar paths as they are both 2-1 and are looking for a statement division win. While there are not a lot of hard decisions for this game, there are still some borderline players that you should avoid starting tomorrow. Below, I’ll break down who you can trust in your lineups, who should stay on the bench, and which players fall into that tricky gray area for Thursday night.
Lock Them into Your Lineup
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR (SEA)
- Trey McBride TE (ARI)
Strong Starts
Trey Benson RB (ARI)
Welcome to workhorse status, Trey Benson. With James Conner sidelined for the season, Benson is now the focal point of Arizona’s backfield. He logged 61% of the snaps in Week 3 and was in on almost every play once Conner left. Through three games, Benson has totaled 170 scrimmage yards on 29 touches and is averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
The matchup sets up well: Seattle has allowed 19.5 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs (13th-most). Benson himself ranks 4th in missed tackle rate and 3rd in yards after contact per attempt, while Arizona’s offensive line sits 6th in yards before contact created. All the metrics point toward Benson being able to handle 20+ touches and thrive. Fantasy managers should lock him in as a strong RB2 with upside on Thursday Night Football.
Kenneth Walker RB (SEA)
It wasn’t Kenneth Walker’s most efficient outing last week, totaling just 50 yards on 17 touches, but he still found the end zone twice. That gave him his second straight game with double-digit fantasy production despite playing only 53% of snaps in the blowout win. Walker has now logged at least 14 touches in every game this season and continues to be Seattle’s clear lead back when it matters.
The matchup is favorable, with Arizona allowing 21 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs (9th-most). Even with Zach Charbonnet expected back, Walker should maintain the majority of the workload. He has two multi-touchdown games already this year, and if Seattle can control the game script, Walker is in position for another strong fantasy football performance on Thursday night.
Players to Sit
Kyler Murray QB (ARI)
Kyler Murray has been serviceable with his legs, running for 30+ yards in every game this season. But his passing production leaves a lot to be desired. He has no games over 220 yards and just one touchdown pass in back-to-back weeks. The advanced metrics don’t inspire confidence: Murray ranks 28th in air yards, 26th in yards per attempt, and 26th in EPA. Against zone coverage (which Seattle runs heavily), his passer rating is among the worst in the league.
Seattle has been stingy against quarterbacks, giving up just 14.8 fantasy points per game (23rd-ranked matchup). While Murray’s rushing ability keeps his floor safe, he’s more of a fringe QB1 this week. In most fantasy football start/sit decisions, Murray belongs on the bench.
Marvin Harrison Jr. WR (ARI)
The hype around Marvin Harrison Jr. is real, but the fantasy production has not followed. Despite ranking 1st in route participation and top 13 in target separation, Harrison sits just 68th in target rate, 39th in average depth of target (aDOT), and 42nd in first-read share. The Cardinals simply aren’t scheming him as a featured weapon.
Seattle is one of the toughest matchups for wide receivers, allowing just 16.5 fantasy points per game (31st-ranked). Harrison has failed to top three catches or 45 yards in each of the last two weeks. Until Kyler Murray and the offensive play-calling show more trust in him, Harrison is best left on the bench in Week 4 fantasy football lineups.
Cooper Kupp WR (SEA)
Cooper Kupp has stumbled out of the gate in 2025, ranking as the WR61 in fantasy points per game through three weeks in half-PPR formats. Despite his name value, the veteran wideout sits just 51st in total targets, 35th in target share, 59th in routes run, and 68th in air yards. The bigger concern is his inconsistency; he managed 16 fantasy points on nine targets in Week 2 but has been held to just three targets in each of his other two outings.
With newcomer Tory Horton steadily earning a larger role, it looks like Kupp may be no better than fourth in Seattle’s offensive pecking order. His experience and reliability as a chain-mover give Sam Darnold a trustworthy option, but the volume just hasn’t been there. While Kupp still carries weekly upside to have a breakout week, the lack of separation and volatile weeks make him a must-sit player for Week 4.
Tory Horton WR (SEA)
Tory Horton is quickly making noise in Seattle’s wide receiver room and could be on the verge of a breakout. In Week 3, Horton delivered an electric performance with both a receiving touchdown and a punt return touchdown, showcasing his playmaking ability in multiple phases. His snap share has climbed from 40% in Week 2 to 50% in Week 3, signaling growing trust from the coaching staff. Perhaps most notably, Horton actually out-targeted Cooper Kupp last week, which may be the beginning of a shift in the Seahawks’ wide receiver hierarchy.
While some of his production came in a blowout against New Orleans, Horton’s increased usage cannot be ignored. His ability to stretch the field and contribute after the catch gives Sam Darnold another option outside of JSN. Despite all of the hype, it does not make sense to fire Horton up in lineups this week with his uncertain role.
Zach Charbonnet RB (SEA)
Zach Charbonnet looks ready to return after missing Week 3 with a foot injury, logging back-to-back full practices ahead of Thursday night’s divisional clash with Arizona. While his early-season efficiency has been poor, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry on 27 attempts, Charbonnet remains a key piece of Seattle’s backfield rotation. Before the injury, he was splitting work with Kenneth Walker and handling valuable passing-down and goal-line snaps. The matchup also provides a spark of optimism, as Arizona has allowed 21 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs, the 9th-most in the league.
The question is workload. Coming off injury and given his struggles, it’s unlikely Charbonnet pushes past a 50% snap share unless Walker suffers a setback. That means he’s most likely looking at a flex-level role with touchdown-dependent upside in Week 4. The opportunity is enough to make him playable in deeper leagues, but his floor remains low if Seattle leans on Walker. For now, Charbonnet is best viewed as a sit candidate this week for most teams.
On the Fence
Sam Darnold QB (SEA)
Sam Darnold has strung together two solid fantasy outings and looks increasingly comfortable as Seattle’s starter. In Week 3, he posted an efficient 218 yards and two touchdowns despite not being asked to do much in a blowout win. Through three weeks, his production might not be jumping off the charts in fantasy, but he has impressed so far to start his Seattle tenure. The advanced metrics back up his improvement: Darnold currently holds the highest PFF grade among all quarterbacks and ranks 3rd in yards per attempt, showing a willingness to attack downfield.
This week, he faces an Arizona defense that has allowed the second-most passing yards in the NFL while generating just five sacks in three games. The matchup puts Darnold firmly on the streaming radar in 12+ team leagues, especially for managers battling injuries or bye weeks. While the fantasy production hasn’t fully caught up to his expected numbers yet, better days appear to be on the horizon.
