Bills burning fantasy question:How does the suspension of Marshawn Lynch affect his value?
Lynch has been labeled both a fantasy sleeper and a breakout player in his first two seasons at the NFL level. But after being suspended for three games of 2009 due to a violation of the league's conduct code, is he now destined to be a disappointment?
Bills top-5 fantasy players
A versatile back out of California, Lynch put up career bests in receptions (47), scrimmage yards (1,336) and total touchdowns (9) last season. However, he did lose time to Fred Jackson in certain sets and could find himself in less than a featured role upon his return.
Jackson put up impressive numbers in limited work last season, posting 37 receptions, 888 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. If he performs well in Lynch's three-game absence, it's possible that coach Dick Jauron could decide to use Lynch and Jackson in tandem.
Oh, and we haven't even talked about the addition of Dominic Rhodes.
The veteran signed with the Bills in the offseason and will be allowed a chance to push Jackson for the top spot on the depth chart in the first three games. Rhodes is a little long in the tooth at the age of 30 (at least for a running back), but he was still a real asset for fantasy owners last season.
Playing in the absence of an injured Joseph Addai, Rhodes posted 45 receptions, 840 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns with the Colts. While Jackson remains the favorite to start, Rhodes shouldn't be a forgotten man in this mix.
No one will argue that Lynch is the most talented and valuable back of the trio, both on the field and in fantasy football. And once he returns to action, he'll be the unquestioned starter and see more carries that either Jackson or Rhodes.
But the fact remains that he'll be unavailable until the first week of October and now has more competition for touches, especially in the passing game. The Bills will throw the ball more with Terrell Owens in the mix, so Lynch's overall number of touches could be affected.
Overall, he should now be seen as more of a low-end No. 2 back in drafts.
In fact, Lynch will come off the board closer to the middle rounds (instead of the second or third round) because of his current situation with the league. Owners who do take a chance on him also need to target Jackson, who will no doubt be a viable fantasy starter throughout the month of September.
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