A defensive assistant coach for an NFC West team told me earlier this offseason he hoped the Seattle Seahawks weren't serious about acquiring Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch.

If the Seahawks are serious -- and I see no reason for them to stand pat at the position -- getting Lynch at a discount price would make sense.

The Scouts Inc. analysis on Lynch heading into last season said he had "great inline vision and run skills with good lateral quickness and agility" to go with breakaway speed. The 2009 season probably changed opinions on Lynch, but he only recently turned 24 years old. He hasn't suffered career-threatening injuries. If those attributes shined through two seasons ago, why can't they shine through at some point in the future, particularly under circumstances that might qualify as a fresh start?

Lynch isn't a perfect player by any means. The Buffalo Bills wouldn't have benched him last season and they probably wouldn't have drafted C.J. Spiller more recently if Lynch were a sure-fire bet. That's where the "discount price" element comes into play. The lower the price, the less risk and the greater potential for net gain.

Let's put it this way: If Lynch were available in a three-man NFL draft featuring current Seattle running backs Justin Forsett and Julius Jones, which player would most teams draft first? I'd make Lynch the favorite. Also, would adding Lynch to the mix improve the Seahawks' outlook at the position? Seems like it would.

Not much else to consider if the price is right.