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.

AFC RB Report

Mewelde Moore - Pittsburgh Steelers He should get the bulk of the carries on Sunday night @ Jacksonville with the injuries to Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall. He carried the ball 9 times for 19 yards and caught 3 passes for 37 yards in the Steelers 20-17 win against the Ravens. Moore is a solid receiver out of the backfield and could be a decent pick up if he were going to play for a while, but with Parker expected back in a week or two coupled with the Steelers going to Jacksonville makes Moore a worthwhile pickup for the desperate only. As always, if you have droppable baggage, you are desperate enough . He could get a solid amount of receptions, especially with the way the Steelers' pass blocking. Fred Jackson - Buffalo Bills He is turning into a pretty solid pickup for an emergency back. He has rushed the ball 28 times for 119 yards and 1 TD in four games and added 11 catches for 93 yards. That projects to almost 500 yards 4 TD's and 44 catches for almost 400 yards. You get a nice emergency fill-in running back, plus Marshawn Lynch's back-up who if he every took over could be fantasy gold. He has been taken in many leagues, but not in all, but Jackson can likely be easily traded for. Laurence Maroney - New England Patriots He has been a major bust in '08, so the question is, do you cut him, trade him or hold onto him? The answer of course depends on who you can get for him, but trading him is going to be very hard so the best advice is to sit him on the bench for another week or two. The Patriots have to run the ball if they are going to have any success and if Maroney is healthy he should get a chance to be a solid fantasy back. The hope to cling to is his strong 2007 finish. He is a good back when healthy and when given a chance. On the other hand he is likely easy-pick'ens and if you need a running back, try throwing a decent extra receiver or quarterback at them and see what happens. Le'Ron McClain - Baltimore Ravens He looked like the feature back in Baltimore with McGahee's rib injury. Rookie Ray Rice has been a fantasy bust and while he is worth a desperate pickup, McClain is the man or at least the co-man and likely goal line back. He makes a solid pickup especially with the byes here. Cedric Benson - Cincinnati Bengals Ya right. Cut by the Bears and out of football and now he is third-string for the Bengals. Let someone else be the dummy who picks him up. Probably a Ricky Williams owner. Ryan Torain - Denver Broncos It is about time to add Torain to you roster if someone hasn't already. Neither Selvin Young nor Andre Hall has wowed anyone, not even as a combo. The Broncos didn't keep him on the roster all this time for nothing, they like him. His elbow injury has allowed him to stay in shape, so you just may get a starting running back for the second half of the season.