Bills Take RB Marshawn Lynch in Round 1

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 2:28 PM EDT in News Comment 29 comments

No. 12

Marshawn Lynch
Running Back
California

Update [2007-4-28 15:3:52 by Brian G]: Last week I wrote a prospect profile on Lynch. If you'd like to read the full analysis of Lynch's skills and drawbacks, read his profile here. Also, Chris Brown of the Official Site has written a very interesting article on Lynch.

Marshawn Lynch is the newest member of the Buffalo Bills. After watching Patrick Willis go to the 49ers one pick earlier, we had the pleasure of watching Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuce Smith announce the selection of Lynch.

Let me get this out there first: I really like Marshawn Lynch as a player. He has the makings of a dominant back - he has good build, good experience, is pretty solid all-around and has been a game-breaker since breaking onto the scene as a college freshman. I think that his skill set complements that of the A-Train's nicely, and I think he is a very good fit in Steve Fairchild's offense. It's good to see that Jauron and the coaching staff are going to do what it takes to protect our QB, J.P. Losman.

With that said, Lynch was certainly not my top choice here. I think that there are some good options at RB in the second round that could have been just as effective for the Bills in conjunction with the A-Train. If I had made this pick, it would have been Penn State OLB Paul Posluszny in a heartbeat.

As far as Lynch's character concerns go, I'm not too worried. If our scouts, coaches and front office deemed Lynch draft-worthy despite these issues, then I have faith in my guys. Lynch's character obviously pales in comparison to a guy like Posluszny or David Harris, but I have faith that Lynch will be a stand-up citizen when he gets to Buffalo.

With three first-day picks remaining in the draft, I expect to go LB in the second round and possibly in the third as well, with DB and WR possibilities as well. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out.

Please feel free to leave your comments on Lynch below, and please also grade our performance in the first round in the poll located on the top right of this page.

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Comments

Lynch a good pick; not great.

Willis would have definitely gone here if SF wouldn't have picked him. Lynch is a bit of a reach, but it fills a need. I'm worried about character issues. McGahee was an idiot, and hopefully Lynch doesn't repeat that.

by nickfeely8 on Apr 28, 2007 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Surprised...happy

just glad it's not a CB!!!

I hope we can get one of the top 4 LB's left though (Timmons, Poz, Beason, Harris), either by trading up or at 43.

I would definitely be a proponent of using a two and a thrid to trade up to get one of them if it seems like none of them will be there.

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 28, 2007 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

i think one of those guys will be there at 43, and I would be happy to have any of them (Harris particularly). I love Leon Hall, but I agree with you that it should not have been a CB picked. Pittman could have been gotten at 43, which would have been my ideal situation. Having said that, while Lynch is not the ideal pick, I think he is solid.

by nickfeely8 on Apr 28, 2007 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What up Nick

I don't know if Harris will be available that late. New England wants him in late Round 1, and Kiper actually had the Bills taking Harris at 12. Take that for what it's worth, of course; Kiper is a tool.

This is getting really interesting. I, like John, wouldn't mind seeing a trade back into Round 1 for a 'backer like Posluszny, Harris or Beason.

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what's next...!

Three possibile scenarios:

1. The Bills stay at 43 and take the best LB available. Ideally, they'd like to get one of the top 3 left: Beason, Poz, or Harris. However, if aren't, they still would take a guy like Durant because the need is apparent now.

2. The Bills use their second and one of their thirds to move up and ensure they get one of the top three LB's left: Beason, Poz, or Harris.

3. Perhaps the most interesting... the Bills sit at 43 and take the best player on their board, whether it's a LB or not. They'll take a LB sometime today or early tomorrow, but they would then insert themselves into the Briggs Sweapstakes post-draft.

Thoughts?

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 28, 2007 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re:

To be honest, I'd consider moving back into Round 1 if either Posluszny or Harris continue to fall. There are a few teams from 23 on who would move back out... it'll be interesting for sure.

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quinn?

Not a Buffalo related comment...but, where do you see Quinn falling to?

by nickfeely8 on Apr 28, 2007 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Quinn

KC is the first team that comes to mind.

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trading back up

I think it makes the most sense. There are just too many teams that need LB's in the later half of the first round: Cincy at 18, The Giants at 20, Patriots at 24, carolina at 25, philly at 26, NO at 27, Patriots at 28 (if not at 24), Chicago at 31 and the Colts at 32.

I think Philly or NO would be the best bets. The 26th pick that philly has is worth 700 points according to the NFL Draft Value Chart, while the saints 27th pick is worth 680 points.

The value of the Bill's second (43rd) and third (74th) combined is 690 points, right inbetween the two picks. So it could get done. We'll see, i'm still holding out for poz!

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 28, 2007 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

check this out from Chris Browns blog...wow!

What Marv said
Today Posted By: Chris Brown | Time: 3:35 PM ET | Link

WHAT MARV SAID: For those that missed it Marv Levy after the team selected Marshawn Lynch was asked if they would've taken Patrick Willis if he was still on the board (he went to SF at 11).

"When we picked the top 3 players we had targeted were all still on the board," said Levy.

That means Willis wasn't a player they would have taken in round one.

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 28, 2007 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Crazy

Freaking nuts. Maybe they left him off because they knew he was going to go before them?

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm...

Hey there, I'm new to the site but am a writer for bloodyelbow.com and badlefthook.com (both a part of SB Nation). I'm also a lifelong diehard Bills fan.

I know there are needs at LB but Posluszny seemed like a bit of a reach at #12. Doesn't seem like too many people/teams were as high on him as the Bills seemed to be.

I like the Lynch pick personally. He was the #1 RB in my mind with all the injury concerns for Peterson.

Side note: As a diehard ND fan also (I live in Chicago, don't ask how I became a Bills fan) I am starting to just feel awful for Quinn.

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 28, 2007 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome, Brent!

Seriously - I read Bloody Elbow all the time. A buddy of mine at work got me interested in MMA and I love your blog. Hope to see you here often!

I agree about Quinn, although he'll be gone within the next hour.

Would you be pumped if the Bills traded back UP into the first for Posluszny?

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely.

I like Posluszny...I just didn't like the idea of taking him at #12. If they were to address the RB needs and LB needs in the first round I'd be thrilled.

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 28, 2007 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Poz and Co.

Well I'm glad we didn't reach for him or any of the other LB's who are all still on the board. Hopefully, one slides to us in the 2nd. I really don't want to trade into the first. We need to use the rest of today's pick on a LB, CB and another LB or a WR.

by Kurupt on Apr 28, 2007 4:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

New England taking a real shakey character guy there with Meriweather. Pretty good player but he is seriously a low character guy.

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 28, 2007 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yep...

more reason to hat them!

i'm just glad they didn't take one of the LB's, specifically Poz. Still gotta get through their second first round pick though too.

OLB's holding out so far! Still have a bunch to get through, including Carolina, Philly, NO, Chicago and Indy

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 28, 2007 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bye Bye Beason

I gotta believe that Levy is working the phones for a possible trade up for either Harris or Posluszny. Gotta be.

Weird trade between Philly and Dallas...

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good deal for Carolina

I thought they'd take Beason at #14 and they get him at #25 and pick up a 2nd. Not too bad for them at all.

Well, hopefully Poz and Harris make it out of the first round!

by Kurupt on Apr 28, 2007 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Poz and Harris

one of them is going to go to Indy, they lost Cato June and need a LB

by nickfeely8 on Apr 28, 2007 6:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad I was wrong...

Looks like they want to keep that offense rolling. Ten more picks until the Bills, hopefully Poz or Harris will be there. Cross my fingers.

by nickfeely8 on Apr 28, 2007 6:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is INTERESTING

It might be wicked easy for the Bills to move up to the top of Round 2. BOTH linebackers are still there! Unbelievable!

Here's to getting Paul Posluszny in the second round, God willing...

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good players not in round 1

Branch
Houston
Poz
Harris

I HOPE Poz or Harris last til 43!

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 28, 2007 6:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bills trade up!!

Poz?!

John I.

by jri111 on Apr 28, 2007 6:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great stuff!

Thanks for the info, andeux! Glad to have you here at Rumblings; hope to see you often!

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cal Fan

As a Cal alum ('04)I've watched Marshawn Lynch up close through his entire college career. In my opinion, you guys got a steal. Lynch is the complete package as a running back: strong, fast, tough, and a leader on the field.

As far as the character issues go, Lynch was an upstanding student and citizen who was involved in community service and was incredibly humble in regards to his accomplishments.

You guys have had a great draft so far.

by CalBear951 on Apr 28, 2007 9:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

Good to hear from a Cal fan with some "inside information". From the sounds of it, Lynch is a really good fit in Buffalo - and he looks even better with Posluszny on board as well.

Great day to be a Bills fan! Thanks, CalBear951!

Buffalo Rumblings: we are awesome.

by Brian Galliford on Apr 28, 2007 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What? What happened?

JK. (An unavoidable situation came up - I've gotten to keep track but nothing more.) If this staff vouched for ML, I can only be extraodinarily excited. Plus...

by Dock Ellis on Apr 28, 2007 11:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs