Marshawn Lynch is approaching the dreaded 30. He is reaching the stage of his career where mere mortal running backs begin to show significant decline and become more prone to injury. Lynch has a career of carrying offenses so his body has taken a beating, but he has also spent much of his career showing off an uncanny ability to soften blows by angling his body away from hits. The major concern with Lynch's health is the seemingly chronic back issues he has dealt with over the years. Those back issues didn't cost him a full game last season, but they did sideline him for a couple of series. Lynch is a crucial piece of the Seahawks offense, so it's not just about figuring out who would replace him at running back but also the impact that would have on every player around him.
BUY
RB Robert Turbin - Any injury to Lynch will make the owner of Christine Michael excited. Probably overly so. Trading for Michael likely won't be a realistic endeavor even though Turbin still appears set to be the primary backup. In all likelihood, it will be Turbin and Michael splitting carries if Lynch goes down. Turbin is the more reliable option in terms of ball security and decision-making, while also being a more capable third down back. He will be cheaper because of the general fascination with Michael's athleticism, so it makes more sense to try and reel him in rather than overspending on someone who is still unlikely to replicate what Lynch offered to your starting lineup.
WR Doug Baldwin - For the right price, Baldwin would become a greater value play without Lynch in the lineup. He is the closest thing the Seahawks have to a possession receiver, but playing in a run-heavy offense has prevented him from putting up big numbers in that kind of role. If the Seahawks were more reliant on passing the ball from down to down, then Baldwin's potential in PPR leagues would grow dramatically.
HOLD
QB Russell Wilson - The most common question about Russell Wilson can be answered if Marshawn Lynch goes down. What would he be without his star running back? Lynch is an important piece of the offense and he does make the quarterback's job easier, but the idea that Wilson would suddenly fall apart without him is a misguided one. Wilson will still have an array of weapons around him and his own ability to run the ball. The Seahawks should pass the ball this year more than in seasons past, while Jimmy Graham will become an even more favorable option at the goal line for touchdown passes without Lynch in the lineup.
TE Jimmy Graham - Graham may be a potential BUYcandidate but his production will need to have been muted or inconsistent before Lynch's injury to create a viable market. Graham is the defacto WR1 in Seattle, even though the Seahawks appear intent on making him work on his blocking ability. Wilson should look to him more at the goal line without Lynch in the lineup, while his ability to dominate defensive backs at the catch point down the field isn't predicated on play action.
RB Christine Michael - It would be tempting to trade Michael, especially if you have or could bring back Turbin, because his stock would likely never be higher than after a Lynch injury. However, Michael has received praise from Pete Carroll during training camp and his athleticism, while overstated at times, does make him a valuable option. Michael would be reliant on big plays, but those big plays could come about if the Seahawks spread the field more this year with their greater depth of receivers.
SELL
None
ADD
WR Tyler Lockett - Lockett was primarily thought of as a special teams player when he was drafted and he likely won't have an immediate impact on offense. He has impressed early in training camp as a receiver on offense though and if Lynch's injury comes later in the season, he could be ready to see time on the field. Lockett would be a speculative add because he hasn't played in the NFL yet, but his skill set suggests he can be a possession receiver and an extension of the running game if the Seahawks move to a more pass-heavy, quick hitting offense to compensate for the loss of Lynch. Chris Matthews would have been in this spot, but it's unlikely that he remains a free agent now that he is working with the first team some in training camp.
DROP
None