Christine Michael Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

With RB Marshawn Lynch sitting out Seattle's OTA session on Wednesday, RB Christine Michael received the 1st-team reps.  He impressed his HC.  "We have very high expectations for him," Pete Carroll said. "He's going to get a ton of work. He's just a million miles ahead of where he was in terms of understanding what we want scheme-wise, pass protection wise, route wise, and we know he's a natural runner. He's got explosive talent and we just want to get him to fit in."  Michael appeared in just 3 games last year, totaling 82 yards on 18 carries.  We're expecting him to play a much bigger role behind Marshawn Lynch in 2014.  Whether he sees enough action to be a fantasy option remains to be seen.  If nothing else, he's a high-upside Lynch handcuff.

Seahawks RB Christine Michael still "looms large in the tailback future," according to insider Bob Condotta.  2013 was essentially a redshirt year for the rookie.  Michael appeared in just 4 games, carrying 18 times for 79 yards.  “I think this year’s draft was a little bit more toward 2014 than it was 2013," GM John Schneider said of last year's draft class. "I guess the way I view it is it’s more about looking toward next year with these guys, and I think they’d all tell you they were extremely excited about next year.”  Michael still has some work to do in pass protection but remains an ultra-talented runner.  Look for him to beat out Robert Turbin for backup duties in 2014.  And with Marshawn Lynch turning 28 this April, Michael could find himself as Seattle's starter as early as 2015.  He remains a must hold in keeper and dynasty leagues.

The Christine Michael love has been flowing lately.  We just found a video of a Seahawks scout raving about the team's 2nd-round pick.  Michael "jumps off the tape," the scout said.  "He's a really explosive back... runs through arm tackles, real good balance on contact... he's got a lot of talent."  The scout also lauded Michael's "short burst, athleticism, power and speed," adding that "he fits our scheme."  The video is chock-full of analysis on Michael's game.  You can check it out here.  Michael dropped to the 62nd overall pick of April's draft because of attitude concerns and an injury history that includes a broken leg and torn ACL.  From a pure talent perspective, though, this guy is a 1st rounder.  We don't consider him a threat to Marshawn Lynch's starting job this season, but it could be a different story as soon as 2014.  This year, Michael could quickly pass Robert Turbin for backup duties.

Former NFL scout Matt Williamson lists Seahawks rookie Christine Michael as his #5 RB for the 2016 season.  (Trent Richardson, LeSean McCoy, Doug Martin and Marcus Lattimore are his top 4).  The Seahawks raised some eyebrows when they selected Michael in the 2nd round this past April.  They were already solid at RB with Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin.  But Michael was a "best-available" pick.  "Michael is a first-round caliber talent," Williamson writes.  "By 2016, he will be a total stud and a true every-down running back."  Battling for backup duties with Turbin this year, Michael is just a late-round flier in redraft leagues.  But he's a prime stash in dynasty and keeper setups.

Texas A&M RB Christine Michael landed in a tough spot for his fantasy football value.  Seattle drafted the former Aggie late in Round 2.  That places Michael squarely behind Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin.  NFL Network's Mike Mayock calls Michael the most physically gifted RB in his class.  Perhaps he can pass Turbin on the depth chart if he lives up to that potential. But Lynch is signed through 2015.  It'll take at least 1 injury to make Michael fantasy relevant.