Since his three years with the Seattle Seahawks, star running back, Marshawn Lynch, has been nothing short of a beast, dominating the nickname, “Beast Mode”. Lynch has put up incredible numbers during the last three years, racking up a total of 4,051 rushing yards, and 35 rushing touchdowns, on 901 carries, earning a clear-cut RB1 status on fantasy football rosters.
With these numbers, Lynch has remained within the top-five fantasy football running backs, making him a slam-dunk first round draft pick, who you could kiss goodbye if your draft pick fell past the sixth choice.
If you’ve owned Lynch over the past few seasons in dynasty or keeper leagues, he has been a fabulous investment, especially if you bought low. However, a few circumstances have recently come to a head concerning Lynch’s future with the Seahawks, which are making Lynch owners or redraft league players nervous about his 2014 fantasy season.
Lynch, who has been a non-participant in the Seahawks’ organized team activities, surprised his team by showing up at minicamp this week, despite the fact he is likely put-off about the teams’ recent announcement that they may be planning to use a running back committee in 2014. This is a dreaded term fantasy football owners do not want to hear either, when it comes to their RB1 now sharing carries, eventually resulting in less fantasy points.
The Seahawks offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell made the announcement of a possible running back committee just days ago as the team claims they may consider splitting the rushing duties between Lynch, and second-year running back, Christine Michael.
Amidst this new development in the Seahawks’ offense, are rumors that Lynch is not happy with his current contract, for which he still has one year remaining. Sources close to the 28-year old running back, also indicate that Lynch had previously claimed that once he earned a Super Bowl ring, he may consider retirement.
All current circumstances surrounding Lynch should be raising some red flags regarding Lynch’s future fantasy football status. Furthermore, Lynch is slipping in recent mock drafts, sometimes not chosen until the 11th or 12th pick, with backs such as DeMarco Murray, and even Montee Ball going off the draft boards first.
Even if Lynch decides to remain with the Seahawks under his current contract, the mere fact that the team is talking about the possibility of incorporating the use of a running back committee could undoubtedly put a dent into Lynch’s carries, ultimately decreasing his fantasy value. Keep in mind also, that Lynch is entering into his eighth year with the NFL, and inevitably he will slow down as running backs worked as hard as Lynch, can’t continue this level of performance forever.
Therefore, if you own Lynch in a dynasty league, the time to sell him high has arisen. If you can sell him or trade him to someone wearing blinders concerning his current outlook, it would be advisable to set your sites on a younger model.
In redraft leagues, if you take into account that Lynch possibly could see up to half of his carries being handed off to Michael in 2014, he no longer is worthy of reaching for as an RB1. If you can acquire Lynch in round two, that is what his current status deems him worthy.
Obviously, Lynch’s status with the team should be monitored closely. With the emergence of Michael, and third-year running back, Robert Turbin, the Seahawks are surely getting them ramped up should they be without their star in 2014. Similarly, fantasy football owners should be considering alternate plans as well.