Lynch drafted by Bills at #12

It’s now official… Marshawn Lynch will be playing next year in Buffalo. He was selected 12th, the second running back after Adrian Peterson went to Minnesota at #7.

EDIT by ERIC: Here are some additional news articles about the pick:

• CalBears.com: Cal’s Marshawn Lynch Selected in NFL Draft’s First Round
• BuffaloBills.com: Bills OL Merz Calls Lynch ‘Great Teammate’
• Associated Press: NFL DRAFT: Bills open with RB Lynch

Here’s a cool Photoshopped image of Lynch in Bills uniform courtesy of a Buffalo fan on their message boards:

And here’s ESPN/Scouts, Inc.’s draft analysis:

Buffalo placed need over value with this pick. Lynch has shown flashes of developing into a difference maker. He’s big enough to carry a heavy workload and his speed should make him a home-run threat in the NFL. In other words, he can pound the ball inside and turn the corner as an outside runner. There’s also reason to believe he’ll emerge as a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, so he compares favorably to Peterson in a lot of ways. However, Lynch isn’t on the same level as Peterson… (blah blah)

In addition, Lynch, much like Peterson, has had some problems staying healthy, so this is a bit of a reach and Buffalo may have been better served taking a corner. However, running back is clearly a need and this could prove to be a great pick if Lynch pans out.

From Keith Kidd during the ESPN Live Draft Chat:

With the 12th pick the Bills select Marshawn Lynch. The Bills addressed a definite need on their team since they traded McGahee. Patrick Willis was a guy they had targeted, but he ended up in San Francisco. There were concerns about Lynch’s durability and character issues, which had him possibly falling down the draft board. But the Bills felt strong enough about him to take him at 12. He is a big back, with the size and acceleration to be a home run threat in the Bills offense and take pressure off Losman. To us this is a definite reach. The Bills could have addressed their CB situation with both Hall and Revis, but they can look to address their corner situation with a second round pick, with a guy like Eric Wright.