Oakland brought Marshawn Lynch out of retirement and received…
Oakland brought Marshawn Lynch out of retirement and received Seattle's 2018 sixth-round pick while sending back a fifth-rounder. Lynch gave his hometown Raiders 1,267 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns over 21 games. Seattle used the fifth-round pick on cornerback Tre Flowers, who became a multi-year starter. Both clubs received exactly the kind of useful, medium-term value they were seeking, making the exchange remarkably balanced.
Las Vegas Raiders Received
- player Marshawn Lynch
- pick 2018 6th round pick (192nd overall subsequently traded, Jamil Demby )
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 2018 5th round pick (146th overall, Tre Flowers)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Seattle traded Marshawn Lynch's rights and its 2018 sixth-round pick, No. 192, to Oakland for the Raiders' 2018 fifth-rounder, No. 146. Lynch came out of retirement to play for his hometown team. Seattle later used No. 146 on Oklahoma State defensive back Tre Flowers. Oakland subsequently included No. 192 with fullback Jamize Olawale in a trade with Dallas, receiving pick No. 173 in return.
Why the Raiders Were Satisfied
Lynch was not the peak Seattle version of Beast Mode, but he was still productive. He rushed for 891 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017, then added 376 yards and three scores in six games in 2018 before injury ended his season. That gave Oakland 1,267 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns from a player who had otherwise been retired. The sixth-round pick also retained trade value the following spring.
How Seattle Recovered Value
The Seahawks turned a player who was not going to play for them into a higher draft selection. Flowers became an immediate starter at cornerback and made 40 starts for Seattle before being waived during the 2021 season. He was inconsistent, but fifth-round players who start that often are useful outcomes. Seattle therefore gained several seasons of young defensive snaps without sacrificing an active player from its roster. The structure also avoided forcing Seattle to carry Lynch's contract or roster status simply to preserve his rights.
Final Verdict
Both sides earn a B. Oakland got a meaningful two-year return from Lynch, while Seattle converted his rights into a multi-year starter. Neither return clearly outweighs the other. Even Trade.