The Lynch Mob

Ken Kelly

lynchmob

Marshawn Lynch has finally found a new home after being shipped to Seattle for draft choices.  While it’s easy to take a look at this deal and focus solely on the change in value for Lynch, the seasonal and dynasty aspect to this trade reaches further than the Emerald City. Here are some players who have seen their values change after this deal:

Marshawn Lynch RB SEA

Ahh, finally.

Lynch has been getting more carries the past few weeks, but the Bills are just not a good football team. Seattle isn’t great, either, but this is a much better spot for his value.

He should immediately take away early down work from former Cal teammate Justin Forsett and could eventually work his way into a featured role this year. His performance will determine just how long he’s in Seattle. If anything, he’ll have a chance to impress the coaching staff and be the long term solution the Seahawks have needed since parting with Shaun Alexander.

Justin Forsett RB SEA

As good as it is for Lynch, it’s that bad for Forsett. He had a golden opportunity to carve out a role as a featured back for this team, but he just couldn’t produce at a high enough level. His value is somewhere in between a flex player and a handcuff to Lynch at the moment, and will probably decrease by the week.

Julius Jones RB FA

Yes, he’s a free agent.

Seattle cut Jones thirteen minutes after making the trade for Lynch. Jones’ value had hit rock bottom after being a healthy scratch this week, so this is no surprise. It seems his skills are diminishing each year and he just never reached the potential the Seahawks and Cowboys both saw in him.

If you have Jones, just wait a few days if you can before cutting him. There are some running back needy teams out there (Packers) who could take a stab at him. I doubt it, but stranger things have happened.

CJ Spiller RB BUF

Three touches last week are just unacceptable for a player picked ninth overall in the draft. What were they doing, saving him for next preseason?

With Lynch out of the way, Spiller receives a healthy boost in value. He should be the team’s primary third down back and could be eased into a much bigger role as the weeks go on and he becomes more familiar with the team’s blocking schemes.

Fred Jackson RB BUF

Jackson owners have to be thrilled with this news. Fred was the odd man out in the three man running back rotation and now should reclaim his early down role at least for the time being. Depending on how much the Bills recommit to running the ball, he should be a flex option again.

Brandon Jackson RB GB

Yes, the Packers need to be listed here as well. Ted Thompson is one stubborn guy, that’s for sure. They just wouldn’t budge on their trade offer, so the Bills moved Lynch to Seattle instead of Green Bay. Jackson is the immediate beneficiary.

Since Lynch won’t be coming to Green Bay, Jackson gets to keep his status for a few weeks as the Packers lead runner, though John Kuhn seems to be eating into his time more and more here.

Dimitri Nance RB GB

Nance remains a nice waiver claim for owners in dynasty leagues or in redraft leagues with some free roster space. Brandon Jackson isn’t getting the job done, so the Packers are going to keep trying new things here.

James Starks RB GB

Starks should be owned in all leagues at this point. His return is coming shortly and he could very easily become the Packers featured back by the end of the season. Really, all he has to do is beat out Jackson, Kuhn and Nance at this point.

That seems likely.

SUMMARY

Marhshawn Lynch has a new home and a mob of player values have changed in an instant. From Seattle to Buffalo, with Green Bay in between, it’s a huge trade to analyze from a fantasy football perspective.

ken kelly