Impact of Favre Acquisition

Last season, Brett Favre stayed retired the entire summer before announcing his return to the NFL.

This year, it took just three weeks for Brett Favre to reemerge after he attributed his second retirement to his inability to stay healthy for an entire season.

Nonetheless, Favre agreed to the terms of a two year deal worth an approximate $25 million dollars with Minnesota on Tuesday.

With the acquisition of Favre, the Vikings are now the early favorites to win the NFC North.

His impact will have an effect not only the entire passing game, but the running game as well.

- In '08, the Vikings didn't have a single receiver eclipse 1,000 yards receiving. Bernard Berrian will be utilized as more than just a deep ball threat with Favre under center. Berrian will be seen in mid-range slant or curl patterns, resulting in more yardage and touchdowns for him in '09. Expect him to improve significantly on his 964 yard, 7 TD campaign last year.

- 21 receptions for 125 yards isn't impressive for a full-time back like Adrian Peterson, but he will also be the beneficiary of a veteran quarterback. Childress has expressed interest in incorporating Peterson more in the passing game, and Favre is the perfect candidate to help Peterson be a double threat. And with a more volatile passing game, Peterson will see less attention from linebackers - so he should see more rushing yards.

-Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe, both of whom have been rarely mentioned in fantasy football before the Favre acquisition, could make for potential sleeper picks. Favre instantly developed a rapport with tight end Dustin Keller and Jerricho Cotchery last season, so don't rule out these two guys as Favre's potential favorite targets.

Lynch Suspension Upheld

Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was served a three game suspension this March for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Like most star players, Lynch appealed the suspension, hoping to get his sentenced reduced to just one game. However, the NFL announced on Monday that they were upholding Lynch's suspension, making him ineligible for play until week 4 against the Miami Dolphins.

How much does a three game absence hurt Lynch's value?

Last season, Lynch was a borderline first round draft pick. This year - he is getting taken towards the end of the third round.

But, Marshawn Lynch might as well be worth a late second round pick this year because you know what he is going to give you; take a look.

Marshawn Lynch thrives as a running back in Buffalo. Once the weather takes a turn for the worse, Lynch improves significantly.

In September and October of last season, Lynch only managed 3.66 yards per carry. In November and December, he had 4.61 yards per carry.

But despite the fact that Lynch is a great second-half player, he is still missing a quarter of the regular fantasy season.

However, Fred Jackson, who has averages 4.6 yards per carry in his short career, will serve as Lynch's undisputed replacement for the first three games. Dominic Rhodes is supposed to help out; but expect Jackson to make Rhodes a non-factor. In week 17, Fred Jackson ran for 136 yards against the New England Patriots; he could even fight for Lynch's job when he returns.

Once Lynch returns, he will return to the starting line up and once again be a dominant fantasy force. In two seasons, he has ran for at least 1,000 yards and scored at least 7 times. While those numbers aren't likely to be replicated, we still rank him higher than his average draft position.

Fred Jackson can be acquired in the final rounds of the draft where you might be getting your back-up defense, or your first string kicker. Spend a late pick on Jackson, and you have a player who will serve as a starting running back for the first three weeks of the season.

And come week 4, that late fourth round pick you spent on Marshawn Lynch suddenly turned into a high end No. 2 running back for the remainder of the year.

In games against the Patriots, Buccaneers and Saints, the Bills will need extra input from Lee Evans and Terrell Owens in the passing game, increasing their respective values.

Even if you don't secure Lynch, Jackson is a good running back to secure until more guys open up on waivers.