RB Omon is Bills' Sixth Round Pick
With the 179th overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills have selected NW Missouri State running back Xavier Omon.
Despite having solid depth at running back thanks to last year's top selection, Marshawn Lynch, and the emergence of a solid backup in Fred Jackson, the Buffalo Bills have added Xavier Omon to the positional mix. A Division II prospect out of Northwest Missouri State, Omon has been regarded for some time as one of the best small-school prospects available in this year's draft.
Omon is a big (5'11", 228 pounds), versatile back that does everything well but no one thing great. With such bulk, Omon is a tough inside runner who absolutely dominated the Division II level, scoring 92 career rushing touchdowns, including a whopping 37 as a senior. He added six more career scores as a receiver, and though he was not used much in this capacity as a collegian, he reportedly has soft hands. There are also some NFL experts who believe that Omon has the ability to become a ball-toting fullback, considering his size and the fact that he's an above-average blocker.
There are some concerns with Omon, namely ball security and wear and tear. Omon logged 1,271 carries in college, so there is definitely some wear on his tires. He's not the fastest (4.59 40) or quickest back, either, which should make him a one-dimensional smash-mouth runner. That's a nice complement to Marshawn Lynch if he can make the team - and it may speak to Buffalo's feelings on their current number three back, Dwayne Wright.
The Bills have three picks in the seventh round. Stay tuned - Buffalo Rumblings will have those picks covered for you as well.
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It's official
Buffalo doesn’t give a rats ass about need. Justice is on the board and they take a RB?
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2008 3:43 PM EDT 0 recs
I thought that was pretty obvious last year, Ron, when picks like Edwards and Wright came in. Or the year before, when Simpson and Youboty were picks…
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 3:46 PM EDT
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Now
they are sure to have plenty of competition at RB.
by Fort Worth on
Apr 27, 2008 3:48 PM EDT
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Past 2 years
2 years ago they got Whitner. Okay, I can see it (don’t agree with it) given how important the safties (strong and free—so Simpson fit) are in the Tampa 2. I’ll chalk Youboty up to their fascination with Ohio State DBs.
Last year they wanted their Lynch and took for need. Last year they needed a RB in the worst possible way and took Lynch. Again, I can see it. If I remember correctly, Lynch had some college injuries so Wright was a cheap insurance policy. As for Edwards, well Nall was beaten out by Losman and we all know how much he liked him so a backup QB was needed.
Everything beyond round 2 has been kind of random. DE and another CB before even trying to get a TE? No offensive linemen at all? No fullback? Just random guys…
by Ron From NM on
Apr 27, 2008 3:52 PM EDT
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They must have
gotten drunk last night after getting McKelin and Hardy and lost their draft board.
by Joe P. on Apr 27, 2008 3:44 PM EDT 0 recs
LOL!!!
That’s hilarious! I can actually imagine that…
by Fort Worth on
Apr 27, 2008 3:45 PM EDT
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Wow
OBD continues to baffle and frustrate.
This kid is a carbon copy of Dwayne Wright, which is something that we sure didn’t need. If we were going to take a big RB, why not Chauncey Washington from USC? He’s got good speed and produced at this highest level….
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 3:44 PM EDT 0 recs
Omon
he’s a broadcasting major – I smell a new morning show host!
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:44 PM EDT 0 recs
i don't understand it, but I'll say he's a pretty darn good back
by osmanBAE on Apr 27, 2008 3:46 PM EDT 1 recs
This dude looks good on tape. He is real shifty. New nickname is X-factor.
by the Skycap on
Apr 27, 2008 3:53 PM EDT
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This draft was horrible after the great first two picks
by brownmac on Apr 27, 2008 3:47 PM EDT 0 recs
I really
wanted to see the Bills get deeper, younger, and better in the trenches today.
by Fort Worth on Apr 27, 2008 3:47 PM EDT 0 recs
Do we have
a SBNation rep from…. WHat school was that again??? To try and make us feel better???
by Cinga on Apr 27, 2008 3:49 PM EDT 0 recs
I was disappointed
with DE in the 3rd, but I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. After that….WTF!!!
by Joe P. on Apr 27, 2008 3:50 PM EDT 0 recs
Experiment
Day 2 seems like a psychological experiment to calculate and quantify suffering on a numeric scale.
But seriously, did the Bills hire Nick Saban last night?
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 3:52 PM EDT 0 recs
Nick Saban or Bobby Petrino, or did they get Ditka?
I would not be surprised now if we traded all three 7th rounders so we could move to the top of the 7th to draft a new Punter because Brian’s leg is somehow about to fall off.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on
Apr 27, 2008 4:31 PM EDT
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Jeeeeeezzz, guys… y’all are ornery. :)
They can only trade their top two 7th rounders, as compensatory picks can’t be swapped. Don’t expect any of these next 3 guys to make the roster.
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:33 PM EDT
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I think I have to turn this off for a while.
I’m just disgusted.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2008 3:53 PM EDT 0 recs
The same names that have been mentioned a couple times here – Hubbard and Monk.
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:04 PM EDT
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WR
Monk, Steve Johnson, Arrington, Bowman….still good WR’s left. We better get one in round 7….
~K
by Kurupt on
Apr 27, 2008 4:18 PM EDT
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I am going to go the other way here
We are a run first team and depth at RB is important. Though I would have loved a Mike Heart experiment it’s tuff to argue with this kids production. He’s a threat catching passes and he will push the other bu RB’s.
This team has a good record of identifying OL talent late in the draft and I bet we grab at least one in the 7th to give us some depth. I don’t think our OL is a pressing need now and if things go as planned (Evans, Crowell) we are in a great position to build the trenches in the draft next year.
by Syr on Apr 27, 2008 3:58 PM EDT 0 recs
What are they doing???????????????
I am absolutely stunned with all of todays picks. I would grade the second day a D-. No TE, offensive lineman, WR’s, Fullback. Now we have 6 corners, 4 running backs, and 3 TE’s. We had a chance to really help our team today, and just didn’t do it.
by Buffalonian on Apr 27, 2008 3:58 PM EDT 0 recs
Well, we did get a TE…
Honestly, I don’t know why we expected anything but this. This is what happens every year on day two. I’m not shocked at all.
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:01 PM EDT
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That's not a TE. At least not one that we need. We need a pass catching TE desperately.
by Buffalonian on
Apr 27, 2008 4:04 PM EDT
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You can make that argument, but the Bills disagree with you. They think he can play – check out Chris Brown’s comments at BB.com.
Would I have liked a different TE? Sure! But the Bills drafted one they liked, so I’m not complaining yet.
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:05 PM EDT
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Mike Mayock spoke highly of him also, except that he can’t block
by the Skycap on
Apr 27, 2008 4:07 PM EDT
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Do you really feel
that we took BPA at positions of greatest need today?
by Joe P. on
Apr 27, 2008 4:06 PM EDT
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Of course not! I’m as perplexed as all of you. I just EXPECTED to be perplexed. Really, all of these picks are solid players. Are they weird? Yes. But I’m not shocked at all.
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:08 PM EDT
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Certainly could have been worse...
Colt Brennan, Erik Ainge, or Mike Hart at #11 overall.
by Fort Worth on
Apr 27, 2008 4:09 PM EDT
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I do like McKelvin...
just putting the overall draft into perspective
by Fort Worth on
Apr 27, 2008 4:11 PM EDT
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Perspective is a great thing, Fort. I think some of us were expecting to be as thrilled as we were with the Lynch/Poz picks last year, and came away as thrilled as we were with the Whitner/McCargo picks. :)
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:12 PM EDT
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Just imagine...
if the Bills had selected Colt Brennan at #11 overall. I know that I was prepared :)
by Fort Worth on
Apr 27, 2008 4:15 PM EDT
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Washington had a great draft for us...
Devin Thomas, Fred Davis, Malcolm Kelly, Chad Rinehart, Justin Tyron
Just looking at the first 3 names makes me shake with envy. Can you image Evans, Thomas, Kelly, Davis and Lynch with Edwards behind a decent line? Instead we have Evans, Hardy, Reed/Parrish, Royal and Lynch. Ugh. It’s going to take me a while to get over this.
by Ron From NM on Apr 27, 2008 4:00 PM EDT 0 recs
Ron and Co.
Read up on X-factor, especially the Q&A then you can see why the Bills picked him. http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/xavier-omon?id=2641
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 4:00 PM EDT 0 recs
NFL.Com
Their draft tracker had positions of need for the Bills and they drafted them all.
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 4:03 PM EDT 0 recs
Draft thoughts
I loved our first three picks and before I explain why I’m upset with almost all of day two I think it is important to note that the draft has already made our team better. Giving us one offensive starter, one defensive starter and situational player on the D is great. However, they really dropped the ball after the third round.
Another 3 rounds of starters in the draft?
by poz on Apr 27, 2008 4:03 PM EDT 0 recs
Kind of early to say they dropped the ball...
Don’t you think? We may have left some holes but we did draft players we need (especially on special teams – and late rounds are the times to do that).
by Syr on
Apr 27, 2008 4:08 PM EDT
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I agree
You’re right Syr, we do have a number of 7th round picks to analyze before I pass my final judgement. However I do feel a little numb about the Fine, Oman, and Corner. Schmitt and Keller were still on the board and I would have liked to see us go in that direction. I will admit, Corner could definetly find a niche on our D with a little development.
Another 3 rounds of starters in the draft?
by poz on
Apr 27, 2008 4:44 PM EDT
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Round 7
Here is when we get our WR, C, and LB that we were looking for.
by the Skycap on Apr 27, 2008 4:04 PM EDT 0 recs
Earlier post
Remember Cinga, Caulcrick in free agency.
by the Skycap on
Apr 27, 2008 4:08 PM EDT
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Gotta admit
Day Two’s draft has me baffled. I don’t understand any of these picks. This summer will be very interesting in Rochester.
I won’t go back and reitirate what I’m sure has been said many times about needs but, boy, this draft is just strange. Not what I was hoping for.
However, I can’t wait to see some of these guys in minicamp.
by RabidBuffalo on Apr 27, 2008 4:10 PM EDT 0 recs
Adarius Bowman is still out there, the Bills liked him on tape, and the 7th may be a good time to take a flier…
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:13 PM EDT
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Welcome to the party Brian. Cinga and I were waiting for you.
by the Skycap on
Apr 27, 2008 4:14 PM EDT
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Hey Joe!!
Valesco’s still out there too… But someone will jump in front of us to get him, I’m sure..
by Cinga on
Apr 27, 2008 4:18 PM EDT
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Valesco, Arrington, and Monk
would save day two for me
by Joe P. on
Apr 27, 2008 4:19 PM EDT
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I think I know
who the next pick will be. It will be John Doe, a tweener CB/S out of SE Idaho State. A bit undersized but great heart. Runs a bitchin cone drill and one of the best thumb wrestlers left on the board. Don’t mind that he is a polygamist. We can overlook that.
by keuka121 on Apr 27, 2008 4:13 PM EDT 0 recs
I've seen film
on him… But thought he was a DT/S tweener???
by Cinga on
Apr 27, 2008 4:16 PM EDT
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I am so sick>>>>
of our constant search for character, motor, and heart guys. Give me some guys with an attitude and want the damn ball. That is why I like the Hardy pick so much. Now we are back on our trend of weird picks. Can’t wait to hear about their character, motor and heart in the press conference.
by Buffalonian on Apr 27, 2008 4:16 PM EDT 0 recs
For the record – finally got the chance to scroll through my Sporting News draft mag. They were VERY high on Bowen and Omon. Of course, they also had Jake Long listed as the #3 OT…
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2008 4:17 PM EDT 0 recs
Shockey
Just for fun, would anyone be willing to give out first round pick next year for Shockey?
by Buffalonian on Apr 27, 2008 4:18 PM EDT 0 recs
Not a chance
I’d give maybe a 3rd rounder, but nothing more. I hate Shockey
~K
by Kurupt on
Apr 27, 2008 4:25 PM EDT
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I can't believe
a team with the 31st ranked offense would be this careless with the draft. We upgraded our defense undoubtedly in free agency, with no attention given the offense. Now more of the same in the draft.
by Buffalonian on Apr 27, 2008 4:24 PM EDT 0 recs
Careless? That’s a bit strong, I believe. Their plan obviously was to re-build the special teams after they lost their top five guys, then take BPA. Nobody here has to agree with the plan, but there WAS a plan.
They’re definitely putting a lot of pressure on Harvey…
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:25 PM EDT
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Wait a minute
Is Erin Henderson still available? That would have been a GREAT pick in the 5th at OLB. I can’t believe that kid is still on the board….wow….
He’ll probably be a Patriot, ugh
~K
by Kurupt on Apr 27, 2008 4:24 PM EDT 0 recs
Yeah… was just thinking that. Counting on him being a Patriot though.
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:26 PM EDT
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Something must be up with Henderson!! He was a stud in college.
by the Skycap on
Apr 27, 2008 4:27 PM EDT
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Hard to believe he’s still there… maybe we just missed it. Can’t see him drafted anywhere though…
by Brian Galliford on
Apr 27, 2008 4:29 PM EDT
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Nope
he’s definitely still out there
and NE just passed on him too.
I wonder what the story is. He was a consensus top 3-4 OLB in this draft and a likely 3rd rounder. I still think he would have been a GREAT pick for us.
~K
by Kurupt on
Apr 27, 2008 4:32 PM EDT
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Draft
Although picking players in positions the Bills already have depth is confusing, they are probably looking ahead to people they might lose next season. Of course then they should have taken Dan Connor.
I guess they really like their tight ends, which is good. They did sign them. If they don’t think the tight ends in the draft project well in the pros, then there you go.
I guess it just goes to show you that NFL teams draft boards look way different than an outsider’s draft board.
by Benaconda on Apr 27, 2008 4:33 PM EDT 0 recs
Conner
Isn’t strong in pass coverage which is important in our defense.
by Syr on
Apr 27, 2008 4:38 PM EDT
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What can any of us say...
The Bills never cease to amaze me… I have no idea what they were thinking… We still have 3 more picks to find our fullback, WR, and the reserve OL they kept screaming that we needed. No chance to get a pass catching TE with what’s left in the draft. Welcome to another 7-9 season gentlemen… Can’t wait for next year.
Regards, ChaosthePitbull
by chaosthepitbull on Apr 27, 2008 4:33 PM EDT 0 recs



