After ongoing rumors, and periods with no news at all, Marshawn Lynch is reportedly set to land with the Oakland Raiders. Assuming a physical goes off without a hitch, and the paperwork to return is filed, Lynch will immediately step in as the Raiders’ lead back in place of the departed Latavius Murray.
DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard combined for 958 rushing yards (on 170 carries), 46 receptions and five total touchdowns as rookies for the Raiders last season, and neither guy looks built to be a workhorse. Murray’s departure leaves a 228 touch (195 carries), over 1,000 total yard (788 rushing) and 12 rushing touchdown void for Oakland to fill from 2016, and Lynch is theoretically the man to take on most of that role. A draft pick later this week would change things, but as of right now what can fantasy owners expect from Lynch next season?
When we last saw Lynch, he missed nine games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2015 while averaging 3.8 yards per carry with three rushing touchdowns. A year out of football should be good news for his health, as he had sports hernia surgery in the middle of that 2015 season, but Lynch is also now 31 years old.
Lynch’s reception total trended up over his final two fully healthy seasons as a Seahawk, with 36 (2013) and 37 (2014) catches respectively, and he averaged nearly two receptions per game (13) during his abbreviated 2015 campaign. A potential role on passing downs seems sure to be siphoned by Washington and Richard, but it’s worth noting Murray had 33 catches in 14 games last season.
If he stays healthy and motivated and is productive, Lynch is the kind of risk-reward running back that could win a lot of fantasy football leagues this year. Solid low-end RB2 numbers look like a good baseline behind a very good Raiders offensive line, but I have built a missed game or two into my projection.
Marshawn Lynch 2017 Fantasy Football Projection: 225 carries, 980 rushing yards, eight touchdowns; 20 receptions for 230 yards, one touchdown
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