Marshawn Vs. Fred Jackson, A Fantasy Perspective

With Marshawn Lynch being activated from his 3 game suspension many fantasy owners have decided to drop Fred Jackson for fear that either Lynch will assume the starting role he had for the past two seasons or they will both split carries.  Although these fears are justified, they are also cause for a very bad decision.  For those who have picked up Fred Jackson, I am sure it was on the cheap so it isn’t like you will be sacrificing a top 5 pick.  But by releasing Fred Jackson, it is possible that you could be releasing the one player who may be the difference between winning and losing your fantasy season.

So far, Fred Jackson has shown an ability to carry the Bills offense on his back.  He has also shown that he can make the most of his touches by working hard to extend plays.  Even if Marshawn comes back, the question that should be asked is not if he will assume the starting role?  The question that needs to be asked about Marshawn is if he will be good enough to even split carries with Jackson?  Last season Marshawn was given the bulk of the carries, but even in limited action it was becoming apparent that Jackson needed to be more involved in the offense.  

Fantasy owners need to be aware of the stats and understand that no matter what “experts” may tell you, Jackson has more big play ability than Marshawn.  These “experts” are still living off of Marshawn’s college exploits and not going off of what he has done in the NFL.  With significantly less carries Jackson has shown more consistency in running and pass catching out of the back field.  Stats don’t lie (read Not The Lynch-Pin We Thought, for the stats).

The biggest knock thus far on Jackson has been his lack of scoring, but what the pundits are missing is the understanding that no one is scoring on this Bills team.  Yes, Marshawn scored 9 total TDs last year, to Jackson’s 3.  But, keep in mind that Marshawn did that while getting all of the goal line carries, and the bulk of the season carries due to the fact that he was the starter.  TD’s should not be the measuring stick for an effective running back.  Let’s not forget, Marshawn was able to produce 5 TDs last year in the first 6 games while the Bills were riding the hot streak, but once the Bills began to fade, so did Marshawn mustering 4 TDs (only 3 rushing) over the last 10 games.  So it isn’t like Marshawn was burning up the score cards either.  I think it needs to come down to an ability to make big plays, which Jackson has proven to be able to do and also where Marshawn falls short.

Jackson will get his TDs, so long as they give the opportunity to.  At this point, the Bills have not exactly been in a situation to allow Jackson to run one in from the goal line as Marshawn was last year.  I will say with confidence that I will start Jackson against Miami, and I will get to reap the benefits.  As I predicted, Jackson will outperform Lynch as long as he is continued to be given the opportunity.  With Dick Jauron’s job possibly on the line this year, he may just go with whatever works, and Jackson works.

Tags: Buffalo Bills, Dick Jauron, Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Miami Dolphins