During his first two seasons, he has consistently produced for fantasy football owners. With an upgraded offense featuring Terrell Owens, Lynch’s value was set to go up prior to this suspension. But now, facing a three-game suspension, Lynch’s value is a third or fourth round pick at best.

If you select Lynch in your fantasy draft, it’s important to handcuff his backup. Chances are that Fred Jackson will get most of the touches with Lynch sitting out, however the Bills also signed Dominic Rhodes during the offseason — so even that situation is muddled.

Overall, dealing with the Marshawn Lynch situation will be a headache for the first three weeks. The good news is that he should be able to step in starting in Week 4 and instatly become a top 12-15 running back in fantasy football.

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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.

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Taylor was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier in the month and is free to sign with any team. In addition to the Bills, the New England Patriots and New York Jets are said to have interest. Although Taylor would like a starting job, there’s only a slight possibility that he can land such a job.

The Bills interest in Taylor might not be a good sign for Lynch. The teams starting running back the last two seasons, Marshawn Lynch was arrested earlier in the offseason and faces a likely suspension. If Buffalo doesn’t think Lynch is worth the trouble, they may even consider releasing or trading him.

Overall, this news does little to raise the fantasy value of Taylor. At the very most, Taylor could be a useful handcuff for the 2009 fantasy football season. This news does slightly lower the value of Lynch because it shows that the Bills may be looking at other options.

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While it appears as if he has avoided any harsh punishment from the legal system, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is likely to look at the situation. Considering that Lynch has had past brushes with the law, Goodell probably won’t be too kind to Lynch. A suspension of at least a couple of games seems likely.

All things being equal, Lynch is a very good prospect for the 2009 fantasy football season. He has had two solid seasons and with the overall offense improving, Lynch’s numbers should also improve.

Right now, before any suspensions, Lynch is probably an early second round pick in most 2009 fantasy drafts. If he gets suspended, he could drop to the end of the second round or possibly the beginning of the third.

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1. LaDainian Tomlinson – Tomlinson should be a stud once again.
2. Adrian Peterson – AP has the high ceiling of anyone in fantasy football.
3. Brian Westbrook – Westbrook is an all-around producer on the field.
4. Steven Jackson – Somewhat of a risk but should be very solid.
5. Marion Barber III – Likely to be a touchdown machine this year.
6. Joseph Addai – If he gets enough carries, he could finish top five.
7. Marshawn Lynch – Second year pro with very good potential.
8. Frank Gore – Look for him to bounce back off of a sub par year.
9. Clinton Portis – Always seems to do better than projected.
10. Larry Johnson – Injury risk but was a fantasy stud not too long ago.

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After studying drafts I have been in and other fantasy football draft information available throughout the internet, I’ve calculated that this is how the average fantasy football draft first round looks so far in 2008:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
6. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
7. Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
8. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
9. Randy Moss, New England Patriots
10. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
11. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills
12. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs

Will Randy Moss climb higher in 2008 fantasy football drafts?

Photo: Newscom

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A total of ten running backs are being drafted within the top twelve overall picks in typical 2008 fantasy football drafts. Who are those ten running backs and in which order are they being drafted?

1. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
4. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
5. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
6. Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
7. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
8. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
9. Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills
10. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs

Photo: Newscom

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Lynch denied knowing that he hit the pedestrian, however he made a plea bargain with Buffalo police. The fine is believed to be $100.

Since Lynch wasn’t charged with a crime, chances are he won’t be suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. However, if he has anymore incidents in the coming year, this plea bargain could be used against him by the NFL to show a pattern of questionable behavior.

Here is a Marshawn Lynch video discussing the traffic infraction:

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While the charge is unspecified, it is expected to be a relatively minor misdemeanor charge. Lynch could be suspended or at least fined by the NFL, but that would be doubtful if the charge ends up being the equivalent of a traffic violation.

Having Lynch ready to carry its offense is vital for Bills. Lynch has a chance to be one of the best backs in both the NFL and fantasy football. He’s powerful and has good natural instincts. Lynch has a shot to establish himself as one of the best backs in football during the 2008 season.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills

Photo: Newscom

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1. LaDainian Tomlison – He’s been too good for too long to pass up.
2. Adrian Peterson – He has as much upside as any player in 2008.
3. Steven Jackson – Struggled in 2007 but should bounce back.
4. Brian Westbrook – Only injury concerns keeps him from top three.
5. Joseph Addai – Role should get even bigger this year for Colts.
6. Marion Barber III – Touchdown should be plentiful in 2008.
7. Larry Johnson – Can he bounce back and become a force?
8. Clinton Portis – Portis is underrated and could shine again.
9. Frank Gore – Mike Martz makes Gore a riskier pick than usual.
10. Marshawn Lynch – If he stays out of trouble, he’ll produce.

Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo Bills

Coming Soon … Running Back Rankings – 1 thru 25

Photo: Newscom

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