Bills Draft: Bills Bulk Up with Marshawn Lynch, Paul Posluzsny

The Buffalo Bills addressed needs at both running back and linebacker in the 2007 NFL draft, adding Marshawn Lynch out of Cal and Paul Posluzsny from Penn State. 

The Buffalo Bills addressed two major needs on day one of the draft, selecting running back Marshawn Lynch with the 12th overall pick and trading up to get linebacker Paul Posluzsny early in the second round.  The Bills followed those moves with a surprise pick by taking Stanford QB Trent Edwards in round three.

Round One: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal

The day that Willis McGahee was shipped to Baltimore was the day the Bills knew they had to address the running back position in the draft.  There was speculation that the Bills would have liked to take LB Patrick Willis with this pick, but San Francisco made that a moot point by grabbing Willis with the prior selection. 

Lynch brings a combination of speed and power that was lacking with McGahee.  At 5'11" and 215 pounds, he packs some bulk, and his 40 time of 4.46 puts him among the speedier NFL backs.  His versatility makes Lynch a legitimate inside-outside threat. 

Lynch was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year at Cal, thanks to his 1,421 rushing yards, 6.1 yards per carry average, and 11 rushing TDs.  He also lined up at wide receiver at times—and caught 34 passes for four TDs.

One question about Lynch concerned was a sexual assault charge that was lodged against him and then dropped.  A restraining order from a former girlfriend still exists. 

If the Bills want to take advantage of Lynch's pass-catching abilities, he'll have to work on blitz pick-ups and route running.  That said, Lynch does have the advantage of having played three years in a pro-style offense.  He may start the season sharing time with Anthony Thomas, but I expect that he'll establish himself as the team's primary back by year's end. 

Round Two: Paul Posluzsny, LB, Penn State

The Bills were also looking for a linebacker, preferably one who could play the middle.  The offseason departures of Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher led Buffalo to trade up to get Posluzsny at the beginning of the second round. 

A starter at outside linebacker for most of his career, Posluzsny shifted to the inside after sustaining an injury in his junior season—then went on to win the Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player.  The Bills have to be hoping Posluzsny can stay inside and allow the team to take full advantage of Angelo Crowell's ability as an OLB.

Observers have compared Posluzsny to former Nittany Lion and Buffalo Bill Shane Conlan, but Poz seems to play with a more aggressive, penetrating style.  At 6'2" and 238 punds, the Bills would probably like him to add some bulk, assuming it doesn't impact his ability to pursue.

 

 

Round Three: Trent Edwards, QB, Stanford

 

Professional and amateur Bills draftniks have spent a lot of time discussing the merits of this selection. 

 

On the one hand, the Bills got a player they had valued far higher than the 92nd pick.  In fact, GM Marv Levy stated that Buffalo had Edwards tied for second on their list of QB prospects. 

 

On the other hand, some critics have called this a luxury pick given the emergence of J.P. Losman last season, and feel that more immediate help may have been available.

  Edwards brings a number of assets to the table: ideal QB size (6'4", 231 pounds), good arm strength, excellent mechanics.  He still needs help on some of the mental aspects of the position—which isn't surprising for a third-round rookie quarterback. 

In my opinion, the Bills took Edwards here simply because he was a value pick.  While they profess faith in Losman, I don't think anyone in their right mind believes J.P. is ever going to challenge Peyton Manning for top-QB honors. Some observers feel that Edwards can become an elite quarterback down the road—and that's why the Bills grabbed him when they did.

 

 

Round Four: Dwayne Wright, RB, Fresno State

 

Those critical of Buffalo's draft have called this a luxury pick as well.  The Bills failed to address their two remaining gaps at this point—corner and wide receiver—and didn't need a running back after the selection of Lynch. 

 

That said, the Bills have lacked a short-yardage runner the past few years, and Wright has an opportunity to evolve into a hard-nosed specialist. Wright isn't an elusive back—but he's a powerful package at 5'11" and 228 pounds, and isn't afraid to take opponents head-on. 

 

 

Round Six: John Wendling, S, Wyoming

 

The Bills went with a youth movement at safety last year, as rookies Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson ended the season as starters.  They lack depth at the position, though—and needed to add bodies in the draft. Wendling's size makes him a logical fit in the strong safety slot, where he'll ease some of the backup load on Jim Leonhard.

 

Wendling may take some time to adjust to the NFL after life in Wyoming, but he comes with a solid resume and a reputation as a leader and a character guy—the type Levy loves.

 

 

Round Seven: Derek Schouman, TE, Boise State & CJ Ah You, DE, Oklahoma

 

The Bills had said before the draft that they would use tight ends and H-backs in lieu of any kind of traditional fullback.  That move explains the Bills' first selection in the seventh round: Schouman is an undersized tight end who's more ideally suited to a role in the backfield.

 

As for Ah You, he currently isn't strong enough to compete at the NFL level, but has decent size and athletic ability.  If he survives training camp, he looks to be suited to the practice squad, where he can work with the Bills' strength and conditioning staff to add some bulk.

 

Overall, the Bills addressed their two biggest holes in the 2007 draft—at linebacker and running back.  They failed to address their depth issues at cornerback, where they'll be hurt by the loss of Nate Clements.  The Bills also lack a true number-two receiver, with Peerless Price and Josh Reed having filled that role last year. 

 

The selection of Trent Edwards tells me the Bills aren't convinced on Losman, nor in the abilities of current backup Craig Nall. For the second straight season, the team loaded up on Marv Levy style players,character guys, leaders, and gamers who play through the whistle.  That's a formula for winning the hearts and minds of the Western New York faithful—and a welcome departure from the flash of the Tom Donahoe era.

 

 

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