No running back with the 1st pick

By Steve

The Buffalo Bills have a major hole in their backfield. Mcgahee is gone, leaving Anthony Thomas, Shaud Williams, and Fred Jackson as the only running backs on the roster. Obviously the Bills won't head into their week one game against Denver with just those three to line up behind Losman; so the question begs to be answered, who will be brought in and how?

The one thing the Bills must not do, is use their first round pick on a running back. The only running backs right now that would be worth a first rounder are Tomlinson, Reggie Bush, and thats it. The only conceivable option in the first round (specifically at 12 where the Bills pick) at running back is Adrian Peterson. Even with him, the likely hood that he'll be available is relatively small. If Patrick Willis and Amobi Okoye are off the board then there is little argument to not taking him. Unless... a trade (which is difficult and kind of rare) is proposed to move the Bills back in the mid 20's and receive perhaps a second rounder.

The reasoning behind not taking Peterson if either of those two are on the board (although I don't want Okoye because the Bills have enough at that position and it is not a need) because someone is targeting them and a trade is then more likely. Plus the Bills have one decent linebacker on their roster in Angelo Crowell. A linebacker needs to be brought in with the first round pick its that simple.

Further evidence to suggest a 1st round pick on a running back is foolish is Cedric Benson (hasn't don't much in the NFL) even Carnell from that same year dropped off in 2006, Kevin Jones and Chris Perry in 2004, McGahee in 2003, and Willy Green and TJ Duckett in 2002. Yes there have been solid running backs taken in between there like Stephen Jackson and a few others but they don't have nearly the impact that a solid Middle Linebacker like a Patrick Willis would have. Furthermore, the likely hood of injury at running back is significantly higher at RB because you are getting hit every time you touch the ball.

Also in 2003 a running back was taken just after Mcgahee who is currently rumored to be on the trading block, Larry Johnson. If this was such a great draft pick for the Chiefs and he is such a great can't miss player, why is it rumored that he is being shopped. Instead of winning playoff games in the time they drafted him they have been losing playoff games. At the time, the Chiefs had Priest Holmes on their roster forcing "Take the Diaper off" LJ to sit and rot for 3 seasons. This draft pick had no impact on their team for almost four years. Currently LJ is 27 and will be 28 during this upcoming season. He carried the ball over 400 times last season and was worked hard at Penn State, so to say he hasn't started that many games in the NFL is misleading. He is due for a down year, mark my words.

The running back position can be addressed in the 2nd round or late in the 1st round as the two AFC Championship teams realized in recent years selecting Joe Addai (30th) and Maroney (21)[although Maroney still has much to prove] the talent is there later. Further prove, the Buffalo Bills selected Travis Henry and little known Hall of Famer THURMAN THOMAS!! in the 2nd round as well.

In short, don't take a running back at 12 for reasons given up top. If Patrick Willis is gone, or the Bills really know something about this kid that we all don't, try at least to trade out of 12 in the 20's and look for a Beason or other highly touted LBs and receive another pick to get or move to get a running back, corner back, wide receiver, and probably another linebacker on day 1.