2013 Fantasy Outlook: Marshawn Lynch

Information is constantly changing in the NFL and fantasy player values can change at any moment. Having updated, informative news can help you not just at your fantasy football draft but during the regular season. Feel free to glance at our recent articles to make sound decisions throughout the year.

To help you get ready for draft day you will notice articles for ADP advice, cheat sheets, mock drafts and projected stats for Marshawn Lynch here. During the season, you can also find regular weekly ranking articles at this section as well.

Welcome to Marshawn Lynch’s fantasy football outlook archive. At this section of Lynch’s player page you will notice our past thoughts and advice for fantasy football.

Summer of 2012: Fantasy Projections

The Seahawks offense was a mess to being the year and nagging injuries slowed Marshawn Lynch down to a flex play start at best. As we moved towards the end of October, things started to change for both the Seahawks and Marshawn Lynch as he quickly became a RB1 and posted a terrific second half of the season.

When motivated Lynch is a powerful runner and a smart player at that, but unfortunately this talented back has a history.

Seattle offense will run through Lynch and even if he has his struggles, this team is basically tied to using him. While fantasy owners should have some concern it’s hard to rank Lynch any farther down than a low end RB1 because of his success in this offense a year ago, and he will be one of the true bell cow backs left in football.

Glass Half Full

While Lynch has been a let down in the past, I do see reasons why he will continue to be a fighter and it’s mainly because I think Coach Pete Carroll is a good emotion leader, this is a team with playoff aspirations, have a great young defense, talent in the passing game, an up and coming offensive line, and one of the best home fields in football.

Seattle will be a force at home, and as long as this young defense plays well; they will get the football back in Lynch’s hands to make an impact on the game. As long as he comes into training camp healthy and in shape, Lynch is a worthy second round selection.

Update 7 /18 - Here we go again! Lynch had a DUI arrest in July and while it’s still unclear if he will be suspended fantasy owners should prepare themselves for missed time. It could be a long suspension because of Lynch’s past but only time will tell. At this point, I still like him as a RB2 because of the role he will have when he’s on the field, but if he’s out for more than six games, look to him as a RB3 on draft day.

	Rushing Stats			Receiving Stats
	Attempts	Yards	TD	Rec	Yards	TD
2012 Projected Stats	288	1,118	9	33	247	0

Summer of 2011: Fantasy Projections

It’s time to get on the Marshawn Lynch band wagon as the Seahawks have done nothing but provide him with a better offensive line and weapons in the passing game, to take pressure off the running game.

I don’t care if Seattle has Tavaris Jackson at quarterback as he will have Sidney Rice, Mike Williams and Zach Miller in the passing game, to go with a suddenly respectable offensive line. Look for Beast Mode to come back in the fold as Seattle is ready to compete for the Division Title.

As it write this update on August 3rd, Lynch is going as the 30th running back overall (69.06 ADP) on Fantasy Football Calculator for standard redraft leagues, and right around the same in PPR league mock drafts for 12 team leagues. This puts Lynch somewhere around a sixth-round selection in ten to twelve team leagues, and that makes him a respectable flex play option.

Lynch has always had the ability to be a force in fantasy football, but his lack of focus and poor situations in Buffalo and last year in Seattle have stunted his production. Maybe the most important play of Lynch’s career was his is touchdown against the Saints in the playoffs last season, when he turned on the Beast and took out the entire defense. That play probably made the difference in the Seahawks believe this guy was the right fit for the teams starting tailback, which should help set up his resurgence in the league.

I’m willing to view Lynch as high as a top 25 running back for this season, as I currently believe the Seahawks have done a great job this off-season and have possibly done the best job of upgrading their offensive line over the past two season than any team in the league. Look to Justin Forsett as a third-down type of back, but he won’t be a threat to take away touchdowns from Lynch and that means No.24 is a great value pick this season.

	Rushing Stats			Receiving Stats
	Attempts	Yards	TD	Rec	Yards	TD
2011 Projected Stats	283	1,112	9	24	153	0

The Seahawks were desperate for a power runner, and they finally traded for Marshawn Lynch in the middle of last season. Lynch had his ups and downs but a fantastic run against the Saints, in the playoffs, may have kept his chances to remain a starter alive. The Seahawks continued to upgrade their offensive line at the draft, but it will be hard for the young lineman to gel without time to work with the team.

As long as Lynch is healthy and stays out of trouble off the field, he should remain the starter for the Seahawks all season. Justin Forsett is not big enough to be an every down runner and Leon Washington is another runner much like Forsett. Look to Lynch as a late round option to add depth to your fantasy roster this summer.

2010 In season: Marshawn Traded To Seahawks

The Bills traded Marshawn Lynch to the Seahawks after showcasing him in a few games to start the season. Lynch should be the Seahawks top runner the rest of this season as Justin Forsett is only big enough to be a third down back.