Rashid

Shaheed

Shaheed is set to enter free agency this offseason after spending a half-season with the Seahawks. The 27-year-old was traded from the Saints to Seattle at the trade deadline and tallied 15 receptions for 188 yards in nine games for the Seahawks, adding three receptions for 78 yards in the playoffs. He most notably was a return specialist for the team, returning a kick for a touchdown to open the Seahawks’ Divisional Round win over the 49ers. When asked if he would consider a return, Shaheed said, “I kind of want to run it back. We just won the Super Bowl, so, you know, why not?” Though his offensive role was minimalized in Seattle’s offense, Shaheed has value as deep threat and return specialist. Expect him to generate much interest during free agency in March.

Part of the offensive overhaul under Klint Kubiak will be to figure out how to fix last year’s wideout room, which ended the season with Tre Tucker and a dusty Tyler Lockett getting the majority of the snaps. Franchise-tagging Pierce could be in play for the Colts. Kubiak just spent half a season with Shaheed, so that pairing has some extra juice. (Though it should be noted Shaheed didn’t exactly thrive on offense with Kubiak.)

Shaheed also lost five yards on a rush and was bottled up on special teams. Thankfully, his X-factor play-making wasn’t needed with the defense truly dominating. One of the NFL’s premier big-play specialists, Shaheed came over in a mid-season trade from New Orleans, making exactly nine appearances for both the Seahawks and Saints. He was more productive on offense in Louisiana but remained a diabolical special teams weapon in the Great Northwest. Shaheed’s lack of offensive involvement for the ‘Hawks — he caught more than two passes twice in 12 games if you include the playoffs — was extremely curious, but likely a function of arriving mid-year in an attack that already had Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Headed for free agency as he prepares for his age-28 campaign, Shaheed will be a fascinating open market case, likely turning heads with his contract. Regardless of the deal and winning bidder, however, Shaheed is ultimately unlikely to become a consistent WR3 for 2026.

Sam Darnold dropped a 51-yard haymaker to Shaheed in the first quarter and his other two targets were incomplete but eventful. Cobie Durant knocked one of them out, and the other was a borderline uncalled DPI on the sideline late in the game. It’s hard to say that the Seahawks didn’t make the right move trading for Shaheed, but we’d love to see them actually integrate him more into the game plan than they have. Then again, hard to complain about much with that offense as things stand heading into Super Bowl LX.

He opened the game with a kick return touchdown, narrowly getting past 49ers K Eddy Pineiro’s studs up, poor form tackle attempt. We were hoping to see Shaheed a little more involved in the offense after a bye week to work on some things, but it looks like he’s just going to be a premium can of juice that the Seahawks save for when they really need a big play. He’ll again play a big role in the NFC Championship game, just not a big role for fantasy purposes.

He also drew a defensive pass interference penalty. Shaheed has managed just a 15/188 receiving line for the Seahawks since coming over from the Saints at the trade deadline, and while he had a big punt return touchdown to help win the game against the Rams, it’s hard to say that he’s looked especially integrated into the offense so far. Perhaps a week off ahead of the NFC Divisional Round will help Seattle come up with some new tricks for Shaheed.

Horton reportedly injured his shin while rehabbing a groin injury in Week 10, just two days after the Seahawks acquired WR Rashid Shaheed via trade. It was an extremely unfortunate series of events for the young, speedy receiver and return specialist. Horton never retook the field after that. In Weeks 1-9, Horton caught 13-of-22 targets for 161 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned 16 punts for 238 yards and one touchdown. In Week 3, Horton set the franchise record for the longest punt return in Seahawks history, a 95-yard touchdown, and became the third Seahawk ever to score a punt return touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game. Horton’s fantasy viability in 2026 remains uncertain. The team could choose to re-sign Shaheed, an impending free agent, and WR Cooper Kupp is under contract through 2027.

Shaheed suffered a concussion in Week 17, but kicked off Week 18 practices with a limited session on Tuesday. He upgraded to full on Wednesday and continued practicing fully today. The Seahawks’ speedy receiver and return specialist could rip off a few long gains this week against the 49ers’ fantasy-friendly defense.

Shaheed was seen practicing without a red non-contact jersey today. That is a good sign regarding his availability for the Seahawks’ Week 18 game against the 49ers on Saturday. If he is indeed cleared to play, Shaheed warrants WR3/FLEX treatment against the 49ers’ fantasy-friendly defense. The game’s outcome determines both the NFC West champion and the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.

This is a positive update for Shaheed, who was forced from last week’s game against the Panthers. The Seahawks face the 49ers on Saturday, and the winner takes home the NFC West crown while also securing the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. Having Shaheed on the field would be extremely helpful for Seahawks QB Sam Darnold.