Skip to main content

Marshawn Lynch back in camp with a touch of risk

It looks like Beast Mode is back in effect.

Marshawn Lynch has ended his holdout and will report to Seahawks training camp after a less than a week of sitting out. Because Lynch didn't miss too many workouts, the holdout wouldn't seem to have a major effect on his conditioning for the season -- unlike some other running backs who were training camp no-shows.

The relatively quick return means that Lynch will retain his spot among the top five fantasy backs -- and in most leagues, the top five players on the draft board. However, there is reason to be a little concerned about Lynch's potential production in 2014. Over the past three seasons, the Seahawks rusher has logged 901 carries. That's more than anyone else in the league and 66 more than the next closest running back (Adrian Peterson). With few exceptions, numbers like that generally preceded a breakdown.

And while it looks like Robert Turbin and Christine Michael will once again be pushed to the background, the designated No. 2 back will likely have a larger role this season. In 2013, Seattle running backs not named Lynch accounted for just 95 carries -- or one fewer than Russell Wilson contributed all by himself.

In an era when there are so few true workhorse backs, Lynch is a hard guy to ignore anywhere in the top five. Just keep in mind that of the top five backs on the board, the man in Seattle is the one who likely carries the most risk.

Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarcasG.