2012 NFL Draft Wraps Up Marshawn Lynch, Lee Evans Trades

Within the last two years, Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix has traded two high-profile offensive weapons in running back Marshawn Lynch and wide receiver Lee Evans. Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is complete, the picture of both of those trades is a bit clearer.

Back in Week 4 of the 2010 regular season, Nix flipped Lynch to the Seattle Seahawks for a fourth-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, as well a sixth-rounder this year. That latter pick escalated to a fifth-rounder thanks to Lynch meeting production requirements en route to his best pro season (1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns) a year ago.

Buffalo used the 2011 fourth-rounder on Clemson tackle Chris Hairston, who still very well could open the 2012 season as the starting left tackle, and who at worst will be a swing tackle for the team for the foreseeable future. The fifth-round pick this year was used on TCU linebacker Tank Carder, who profiles as a specialist with down-the-line starting potential.

Last August, Nix shipped Evans to the Baltimore Ravens for a fourth-round pick. Battling injuries throughout the 2011 season, Evans caught just four passes, then dropped a potential game-winning touchdown in the AFC Championship Game. He has since reunited with Mike Mularkey as a free agent signing of the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the fourth-round pick acquired, the Bills selected LSU cornerback Ron Brooks, a high-upside sub-package defensive back with elite play-making ability.