Marshawn Lynch has been one of the steadiest performers at the running back position since the Seattle Seahawks acquired him in October of 2010. He is the perfect fit for the Seahawks as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. Tough, hard-nosed and versatile, Lynch is capable of pounding the ball between the tackles and has the ability to gash defenses in a variety of ways. The Seahawks offense has become dangerous with quarterback Russell Wilson at the helm as defenses have to choose what to give up, and Lynch has become the main beneficiary of a very potent attack. Lynch has become an elite fantasy option while playing with Wilson. In the year and a half before Wilson arrived, Lynch graded somewhat negatively analytically, but in the two years with Wilson at the helm, Lynch has become a top-five player at the running back position. The Seahawks ran the ball a league-high 54.8 percent of the time in 2013 and their offense as Lynch paces their offensive attack, but they have young talent at the running back position in second-year running back Christine Michael and third-year running back Robert Turbin. However, replacing a player of his caliber won’t be as easy as simply running the next guy out there, but for fantasy purposes, any running back getting a good amount of looks for the Seahawks would be valuable.
BUY
Christine Michael, RB — When looking at a top-10 scoring offense in the NFL, and combining that with how much they actually run the ball, it is easy to come to the conclusion that the starting running back on this team would be a sought after commodity. The question remains as to who wins the starting job, and whether the position turns into a committee or not. When looking at Michael’s overall skill set, it is fair to see him as a full workload kind of player with the ability to handle the job, both from a workload perspective and a style perspective. Michael is a tough, down-hill runner capable of pounding the ball much like Lynch does. The Seahawks offense wouldn’t have to change all that much as they could continue to do what they do. However, like all young running backs, Michael will have to prove himself as a blocker on third downs, and it is one of the things to pay attention to throughout training camp. If things go well, Michael could easily turn into No. 2 running back on a consistent basis if Lynch were to be lost for the year.
Russell Wilson, QB — Russell Wilson has really emerged as a fantasy option in the Seahawks offense, and is very much an ascending player. He threw for 26 touchdowns to go along with nine interceptions in 2013, and he added 539 yards rushing and another touchdown via the rush. He’s already entrenched as a solid fantasy starter, but it is worth examining what would transpire if Lynch were lost for the season. As much as you would like to run the same offense without Lynch, there would definitely be a bigger role for Wilson. Lynch is remarkably efficient and it is difficult to see that efficiency remaining. Wilson’s role would grow both through the air and on the ground, and the 12 touchdowns that Lynch scored in 2013 would get spread around elsewhere. Wilson would add yards and a few touchdowns rushing, but he would throw more yards and touchdowns as the Seahawks would find themselves in more third and long situations. A Lynch injury gives Wilson’s stats the biggest boost as he would go from a middling No. 1 starting quarterback in fantasy football to a top-flight performer capable of winning games by himself for teams.
HOLD
Percy Harvin, WR and Doug Baldwin, WR — The Seahawks offensive system is very much a run first offense and losing Lynch wouldn’t change it to the point that the stats for either of these players would change all that much. It would boost them a little in both yards receiving and their touchdown totals could creep up a touch, but for the most part, these players are right where they should be and that doesn’t change with an injury to Lynch.
SELL
None. The Seahawks ground game will remain reasonably solid and it should be business as usual.
ADD
Robert Turbin, RB — Turbin has handled the backup role for the past two years and there is a sense of comfort with him. The Seahawks know what Turbin is, and in some ways he is a different type of runner than Lynch. He’s not near as physical and is a change of pace runner, but he is effective as a third down pass blocker which has allowed him to be the backup since he was drafted in the fourth round three years ago. Turbin is not a player I would trust to handle a full workload and is a player that would be a part of a tandem. He does have value, especially playing on a team that has its’ defense giving the offense back the ball via the turnover a lot. Also, consider that this team should be up and running out clock. Turbin would produce decent numbers in that scenario, and he should be a solid bye week replacement and a depth player on fantasy teams.
DROP
None. The Seahawks ground game will remain reasonably solid and it should be business as usual.
