Fantasy football: Randy Moss, Marshawn Lynch trades

We’ve come full circle: Randy Moss is back in purple, and Marshawn Lynch is a featured running back again.

It’s been a busy week in the usually trade-reluctant NFL.

Moss was shipped yesterday Wednesdayfrom New England to Minnesota, the same team that drafted him in 1998. On Tuesday, Buffalo sent Lynch to Seattle.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from this week’s trades:

WINNERS

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle
Lynch was caught up in a three-man backfield playing behind a shaky offensive line in Buffalo. In Seattle, he’s expected to be the clear-cut starter. The 24-year-old Lynch gained 1,000 yards in his first two NFL seasons. He’s also a solid receiver, catching 47 passes for 300 yards in 2008.

Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota
Theoretically, Moss shouldn’t benefit from leaving behind Tom Brady and the NFL’s top-scoring team. But we’ve learned over the years that when Moss loses interest, his performance suffers. It likely was no coincidence that at a time when he was angry about his contract situation in New England, he caught just four passes over three games. A change of scenery should invigorate Moss.

Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota
Sidney Rice is injured, Percy Harvin is not a No. 1 wide receiver and Bernard Berrian can’t get open. The result: Favre has the lowest passer rating (60.4) since his 1991 rookie season. Now Favre welcomes a future Hall of Famer, one who has averaged one touchdown for every 6.2 receptions during his 13-year career.

LOSERS

Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle
Forsett was the Seahawks’ top running back before the Lynch trade. But he didn’t do enough to convince coach Pete Carroll that he was the Seahawks’ long-term answer. Although he could retain third-down duties, Forsett is barely worth a roster spot.

New England offense
It’s unreasonable to think that Tom Brady and the Patriots won’t skip a beat without Moss. And you have to wonder how much of wide receiver Wes Welker’s success catching passes underneath was a result of Moss’ ability to attract defenders on deep routes. Moss’ successor, Brandon Tate, has plenty of potential, but he’s no Moss.

Ryan Chatelain (ryan.chatelain@am-ny.com) is amNewYork’s fantasy football columnist.

WEEK 5 START/SIT

START
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta (at Cleveland): The Browns’ pass defense has been torched the past two weeks by Joe Flacco and Carson Palmer.

Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona (vs. New Orleans): The Saints have allowed at least 86 yards rushing to every starting running back they’ve faced.

Steve Smith, WR, N.Y. Giants (at Houston): Smith is the Giants’ most-targeted wideout, and the Texans are allowing a league-worst 337.8 passing yards per game.

SIT
Donovan McNabb, QB, Washington (vs. Green Bay): McNabb has yet to toss multiple TDs in a game. The Packers are seventh vs. the pass.

Michael Bush, RB, Oakland (vs. San Diego): Darren McFadden is hurt, but the Chargers haven’t allowed more than 63 yards to a running back since Week 1.

Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego (at Oakland): The Raiders are allowing just 143.8 yards per game through the air.