Raiders Trade Rumors: What Will Oakland Give Up To The Seattle Seahawks For RB Marshawn Lynch?

The departure of free agent Latavius Murray to the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason has created an opening in the Oakland Raiders backfield and it appears will be filled by one of the top running backs of the past 10 years. The Raiders and Seattle Seahawks are expected to finally work out a trade or the release of Marshawn Lynch after several weeks of speculation.

Lynch, who visited the Raiders' team facility in Alameda earlier this month, must first re-work his contract after retiring after the 2015 season. Sources told ESPN's Ed Werder that the Raiders were looking into a short-term deal with heavy incentives ahead of any trade. Lynch had signed a three-year, $31 million contract in 2015, that would pay him about $9 million in 2017—a figure the Raiders don't want to pay.

The Raiders will almost certainly need to surrender at least one draft pick for Lynch. According to the San Jose Mercury News, the Raiders may only need to give up a conditional seventh-round pick. In a radio interview, Seahawks general manager John Schneider said he expects that Lynch's potential move to Oakland would move "in a smooth manner." Seattle would prefer to not have to pay the remaining year of his contract.

It's unclear how much of a role Lynch will play in 2017 after sitting out the entire 2016 season. The Oakland native only had 111 carries in 2015 but had rushed for over 1,200 yards in four consecutive seasons from 2011 through 2014.

Should Lynch join the Raiders, he would be teamed up with Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, who combined for 970 yards on 170 carries, or an average of 5.6 yards per carry. The Raiders drafted Washington in the fifth round in 2016.

Oakland has eight draft picks in 2017, with two picks in the seventh round.