Three years ago, the Buffalo Bills made running back Marshawn Lynch the 12th overall pick in the draft. Lynch started his career with two solid seasons. In 2009, a suspension for violating the Personal Conduct Policy opened the door for Fred Jackson to become the No. 1 option.
Now, with the Bills using the ninth overall selection in the 2010 draft on running back C.J. Spiller, Lynch seems to be inching toward an exit from Buffalo.
As Bob Matthews of the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle observes, the recent addition of running back Chad Simpson could be even further proof that Lynch will be leaving.
The Bills reportedly have been willing to move him -- and they reportedly wanted last month a second-round selection. To get value for him, however, they’ll likely have to lower their sights.
Then again, they can keep him around. If the Saints are willing to pay Reggie Bush $8 million to be one member of a three-headed tailback monster, the Bills surely would be willing to pay Lynch roughly 10 percent of that amount ($885,000) to play a similar role.
Lynch remains under contract for three seasons (the last year probably is voidable), and he’s due to earn base salaries of $1.14 million in 2011 and 2012. These are manageable numbers, and it could prompt the Bills to get what they can out of him -- unless and until someone is willing to give them something they deem sufficient in exchange.
