The fantasy football value of Marshawn Lynch took a major hit today when the NFL suspended him for the first three games of the 2009 fantasy football season. The announcement was made by Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL.

Marshawn Lynch Suspended (Image: Newscom)

The running back for the Buffalo Bills was suspended due to two brushes with the law. His first incident was when he hit a pedestrian near a bar in Buffalo. The second incident was a gun charge in California.

Three games in a fantasy football season is quite a big chunk. This news could drop him from a second rounder all the way into the fourth a fifth round. Any fantasy team that drafts Lynch would be handicapping themselves in the first three weeks of the season.

The player who will see his value increase is backup Bills running back Fred Jackson. He showed some glimpses last season and he’s likely to start the first three games of the season. If you are thinking about drafting Lynch, be sure to handcuff Lynch with Jackson.

In the second half of the fantasy season, Lynch could hold a lot of value. By then, he should be back into the groove and the Bills offense should be much improved due to the acquisition of Terrell Owens earlier in the offseason. If everything goes as planned, Lynch has a chance to be a sleeper acquisition for the second half of the fantasy football season.

QB Gus Frerotte, Minnesota Vikings
Although not considered a top fantasy football quarterback in 2008 by any means, Gus Frerotte has certainly exceeded expectations. He has thrown for at least one touchdown pass in each of his starts except for one game. In his last three games, he has six touchdown passes. Going up against an overrated Jacksonville Jaguars defense, Frerotte should continue to produce.

RB Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills
Fred Jackson has emerged as one of the better backup running backs in the NFL in 2008. In Week 12, Jackson and the Bills take on the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have played decently lately but they remain a horrid defensive team against the run. Look for Jackson to get plenty of touches and produce like a starter in Week 12.

WR Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
The St. Louis Rams have been horrible recently, especially when it comes to making tackles. With Devin Hester coming to town, that’s a bad combination. While Hester hasn’t had the amazing year many expected, he’s still a threat to break a long one — whether in the passing game or the return game. Week 12 may be his breakout game owners have been waiting for.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
Last week, Kevin Boss was held without a catch. But that was against the Baltimore Ravens, one of the best defensive teams in the NFL. In the previous three weeks, Boss caught a touchdown pass in each. In Week 12, the Giants go up against the Arizona Cardinals and Boss should be able to get back into the swing of things.

QB Luke McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With Jeff Garcia sidelined, McCown stepped in for the Bucs and played great in the team’s victory. McCown threw for two touchdowns and for over 320 yards. However, Garcia might come back this week from his back injury. If you pickup McCown, he’d be a decent start in Week 14 if Garcia isn’t able to go.

RB Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills
Jackson had a very good game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. He finished with 82 yards rushing and 69 yards receiving. In Week 14, he’d be a rather nice start against the Miami Dolphins. The bad news for Jackson is that Marshawn Lynch might return from his ankle injury.

WR Bryant Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
Anquan Boldin suffered a toe injury in Week 13, while Larry Fitzgerald was out injured prior to the game. Suddenly, Johnson was the number one receiver on the Cardinals. Heading into Week 14, it appears as if Boldin won’t be able to play and Fitzgerald isn’t a certainty, either. If one or both of those stud receivers misses the game, Fitzgerald suddenly becomes a quality fantasy football starter.

TE Desmond Clark, Chicago Bears
Clark has quietly become a fantasy option again. While Greg Olsen has gotten a lot of the tight end looks of late, Clark has been productive over the last couple weeks. After getting 61 yards in Week 12, Clark finished with five catches, 76 yards and a touchdown in Week 13. In Week 14, he’s a decent enough start against the Washington Redskins.