Green Bay Packers

Fantasy Football 2017: Early Expectations for Eddie Lacy

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:43 a.m. ET

Fansided, Luis Tirado Jr./FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

Early fantasy football expectations of running back Eddie Lacy won"t live up to the hype of being the new Beast Mode on the Seattle Seahawks.

When the Seattle Seahawks announced the acquisition of free agent running back Eddie Lacy, the football world was filled with excitement that perhaps he can fill the void left by Beast Mode himself, Marshawn Lynch. When it comes to early fantasy football expectations heading into next season, don't expect him to live up to any such hype.

In an article written by Doug Farrar for the Bleacher Report, he confirmed that Lacy signed a one-year deal that was filled with a plethora of incentives should he hit certain milestones next season. Of course, it all depends on if he can once again stay in shape and not gain so much weight that it keeps him not playing up to his potential.

The Green Bay Packers were willing to part ways with Lacy since he was unable to stay in football shape throughout his tenure on the team. It's unfortunate since Lacy has upside to really be a solid power running back. He's simply been holding himself back since he's unable to lose weight and actually keep it off, in addition to being unable to stay healthy.

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When it comes to what he'll bring to the table to fantasy football owners in 2017, it's best to stay away from wasting any top or even middle-round draft picks on Lacy. However, there is some upside to the move.

Luckily, the Seahawks are putting the ball in Lacy's court. Either he'll wisen up and realize this could be one of the last opportunities he'll get to be in a starting rotation at running back or he'll soon find himself out of the NFL. The Seahawks need him to bring back that power running style that earned them a Super Bowl victory just a few years ago since it helped open up everything else offensively.

Fantasy owners that are bold and want to take a chance on Lacy as their RB1 will be in for a rude awakening. Sure, he'll have his reps and probably start off well on his new team. But with his history of being injured and, again, issues with keeping weight off consistently, his year in Seattle could wind up being much of the same things that fans saw last season and even before then with the Packers.

Overall, it's best to stay away from Lacy completely come next fantasy season. If he surprises the fantasy world and resembles the player that was a true force to reckon with in his rookie season of 2013, you'd look like a genius. But is he really worth that risk? Lacy has what it takes to succeed, but it will all come down to how committed he is and how healthy he can be.