Oakland Raiders: Five reasons to be pessimistic in 2017

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Jun 13, 2017; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) reacts during minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Marshawn Lynch isn’t very good anymore…

I hate to break this news to Oakland Raiders fans, but Marshawn Lynch probably isn’t going to be the same guy we saw dominating the NFL back in 2014.

Sure, even if he’s a fraction of that guy, this was a smart move by the Raiders. Heck, even the fact that Lynch is 31, the cost to get him was nothing I wouldn’t pay if I were an NFL general manager to see what he still had left.

But at last we saw Lynch playing, he wasn’t able to stay healthy, and he was flat out not very good anymore.

In just seven games and six starts in 2015, Lynch averaged under four yards per carry for the first time since he was traded to Seattle in 2010.

I don’t blame Lynch for wanting a chance to play for his hometown team before they relocate, and I don’t blame the Raiders for going after him. I just don’t think we’re going to see a ‘vintage’ Marshawn Lynch, and the Raiders don’t have a ton of great depth behind Lynch if a new featured back is needed in case of injury.

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