Seattle traded guard Tom Lynch to Buffalo on October 13,…
Seattle traded guard Tom Lynch to Buffalo on October 13, 1981, for a 1982 third-round pick that became No. 75 overall and tight end Pete Metzelaars. Metzelaars spent three seasons with the Seahawks before a long NFL career, giving Seattle useful player value from a meaningful Day 2 selection. That return surpassed Lynch’s comparatively limited starting impact in Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills Received
- player Tom Lynch
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 1982 third-round pick (75th overall, Pete Metzelaars)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Seattle sent guard Tom Lynch to Buffalo on October 13, 1981, and received the Bills’ third-round choice in the 1982 draft. That pick became No. 75 overall, which Seattle used on tight end Pete Metzelaars. Unlike a conditional or very late selection, a third-rounder represented meaningful draft capital, so Buffalo needed Lynch to provide substantial line value to balance what it surrendered.
Seattle’s Return
Metzelaars spent the first three seasons of his career with Seattle. His receiving totals were modest, but he appeared regularly and developed into an NFL-caliber tight end before later becoming a long-time contributor elsewhere. Seattle therefore converted Lynch into a young drafted player with several seasons of team control. The broader career Metzelaars built also confirms that the pick produced a legitimate professional player rather than a failed selection.
Buffalo’s Return
Lynch gave Buffalo veteran offensive-line depth over multiple seasons, appearing in games from 1981 through 1984. His starting role, however, was limited relative to the price. That matters because a third-round pick offers a club a realistic chance to find a starter or valuable rotational player on a rookie contract. Buffalo received some utility, but not enough high-level or sustained starting production to fully justify the draft asset.
Value in Hindsight
The trade was not disastrous for Buffalo because Lynch did contribute, and Seattle did not turn No. 75 into an immediate star. Still, the Seahawks gained the more valuable combination of youth, contract control, and long-term player quality. Metzelaars’ three Seattle seasons plus his proven NFL longevity make the return more substantial than Buffalo’s depth-level use of Lynch. The advantage is moderate rather than overwhelming.
Final Verdict
Seattle Seahawks Win. Seattle earns a B for converting a veteran guard into a third-round selection that produced Pete Metzelaars, a useful young tight end with a long NFL future. Buffalo receives a C+ because Lynch supplied depth and some serviceable snaps, but not enough starting value to equal the No. 75 pick. Seattle came away with the better asset.