Much like Stewart Scott's lazy eye, Marshawn Lynch's fantasy value is all over the place. Now that Brandon Marshall has been dealt to the Miami Dolphins, perhaps no other NFL player has been the subject of more trade rumors either.
The most prevalent trade speculation, and perhaps most likely landing spot for the troubled running back, is San Diego, where the Chargers need someone to fill LaDainian Tomlinson's cleats. And while many fantasy GM's have been scouring the websites the last couple of weeks waiting for this persistent rumor to come to fruition the news out of the Buffalo Bills camp today is there is no imminent trade in the works.
According to Bills GM, Buddy Nix, Lynch is staying right where he is, end of story. "Our intention is for Marshawn to be here," Nix said during the team's annual pre-NFL draft luncheon. "He's under contract. We think he's a good back. We need two backs, and our intention is for him to be here. All this trade talk, it's not coming from us."
So what does all of this mean for Lynch's fantasy value for 2010? Let's take a look based on what currently seem to be the likely scenarios.
1. Lynch stays in Buffalo. Back up RB Fred Jackson has shown more than capable of toting the rock in New York, and after Lynch returned from last season's 3-game suspension, Jackson's strong play combined with Marshawn's limp performance, cost both men fantasy value. The two split sub par carries the remainder of the season on a team that was essentially a fantasy black hole.
If Lynch remains in Buffalo, expect Jackson to be the go to guy, and Lynch to get about 15 carries a game as a back up. best case they split things 50/50 in which case neither is an RB1 option.
2. Lynch goes to San Diego: This would be a boon for both Jackson and Lynch, though more so for Jackson. Jackson would be "the man" for the Bills, giving him top 15 appeal. Meanwhile Lynch would become the number one back on a team which also has Darren Sproles and one that will likely tab a future back in the draft. The likelyhood of a RBBC in San Diego would be high. Still this raises his value somewhat. If you believe in Lynch, and think he'll get traded to the Chargers now is the time to buy low for dynasty and keeper leagues.
3. Lynch goes to Seattle: The latest rumor popping up today is a deal that would send Lynch and his baggage to the West coast for a 2nd round pick, 60th overall. Lynch is a former Cal teammate of Seattle Seahawks RB Justin Forsett.
4. Lynch goes somewhere else: and some of the other teams speculated include the Green Bay Packers and bizarrely, the Washington Redskins, even after the Willie Parker and Larry Johnson acquisitions. In fact, the latter might be a real possibility with Lynch going to D.C. and Parker or Clinton Portis moving to Buffalo.
Regardless of what happens with Lynch, two things remain inevitable, he will still be as ugly as the Predator, and his fantasy value will remain suspect wherever he plays in 2010.
Disagree? Sound off below.
