Marshawn Lynch Suspended

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

This time Marshawn Lynch has to pay the piper for his misdeeds. If you recall last year, Marshawn Lynch was involved in a hit-and-run incident that did not net him a suspension. 

In February, Lynch was ridin’ dirty with a gun and some weed. Roger Goodell did not turn a blind eye this time around. 

According to ESPN’s Michael Smith, Lynch will be slapped with a three-game suspension as early as today. Lynch will appeal the suspension in hopes to get it reduced to one game like Brandon Marshall did last year. 

Trouble is, Brandon Marshall had another incident recently that could not only get Marshall suspended, but it could deter Goodell from making a deal with Lynch.

The NFL has yet to release its full schedule, but Lynch will not be in action when the Bills take on the New England Patriots on Sept. 14.  Fred Jackson will start in Lynch’s absence, and Xavier Omon could get a few carries as well.

The suspension does have an impact on where Marshawn Lynch goes in fantasy drafts.  If the appeal is denied and Lynch has to sit out the first three games, it would be hard to draft Lynch in the first two rounds. 

It would be like having to deal with bye weeks at RB right out of the gate. He is going to be a good value pick for someone though, because in fantasy it’s not how you start, but how you finish. 

In theory, he should be fresher than most backs at the end of the year. If the suspension gets knocked down to a game or two then you can think about taking him in the early- to mid-second round. 

The addition of Terrell Owens should open the running lanes, especially at the stripe. It makes an interesting dilemma for his owners in keeper leagues. He is a No. 1 RB that can catch the ball out of the backfield and gets the nod on the fantasy favorite one-yard plunge. 

Plus, he’ll turn 23 this month so he has plenty of mileage to rack up if he can keep his nose clean. Honestly, I think keeper owners simply have to bite the bullet on this one and hold on to him unless you have solid RBs in place.

There is also the threat of further suspension if Lynch has another incident. He seemed to be sincere in his apology, but we’ve all heard that song and dance before. 

Proof is in the pudding, and until Lynch shows he can walk the straight and narrow, I am not giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Originally published at LestersLegends.com.

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