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One prospect who could interest the Denver Broncos in the first-round of the 2016 NFL Draft is former Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. He is a 6'7", 244lb quarterback who is considered among the first tier quarterback prospects in this years draft class. Lynch is ranked as the 33rd overall prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports, and is ranked as the 3rd best quarterback prospect in the draft.
During Lynch's three-year career at Memphis, he totaled 8,865 yards passing, 59 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. He also totaled 687 yards rushing and added another 17 career rushing touchdowns. This past season Lynch totaled 3,778 yards passing, 28 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He also rushed for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns this past season.
Paxton Lynch
Quarterback, Junior, Memphis
Height: 6'7" Weight: 244lbs 40 time: 4.86 seconds
Arm Length: 34 1/4" Hands: 10 1/4"
Vertical Jump: 36 inches(Top performer of his class) Broad Jump: 118.0 inches(Top performer of his class)
3 Cone Drill: 7.14 seconds
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths:
- Has the look of an NFL quarterback and can take a beating
- Very tall and has an athletic body
- Excellent athleticism
- Able to run the ball and extend plays with his legs
- Excellent arm strength
- Was able to avoid being sacked in college
- Quick release
- Makes smart decisions and doesn't turn the ball over much
- Accurate on deep to intermediate passes
- Accurate passer when on the move
- Intelligent and has high football IQ
- Has the physical tools to start right away
- Tons of potential
- Displayed leadership and isn't easily rattled
- Incredibly raw quarterback prospect
- Tends to rely on his arm talent and ignores the fundamentals
- Needs to improve his footwork
- Needs to be quicker with his progressions
- While he has a strong arm, inconsistent weight transfer makes him muscle some throws
- Doesn't always throw a tight spiral
- Touch throws need some work
- While he does avoid sacks he does tend to hold on to the ball too long
- Will need to learn the NFL game
- Doesn't have any experience in a pro-style offense
- Probably isn't ready to start day one mentally
- Needs work on his mechanics like most rookie QBs
- Could be a boom or bust quarterback prospect
Does Paxton Lynch fit with the Denver Broncos?
It's a fit I want to see happen.
Lynch is a developmental quarterback prospect. You normally do not see these type of quarterbacks going in the first round, but there's already enough there to warrant a first round pick. He his big, tall, athletic, great arm, and was productive in college.
Could he start day one? Maybe if you have him in a watered down/quarterback-friendly offense and let him make plays with his athleticism. That's exactly what the Broncos could provide him on the offensive side of the ball. He reminds many of Brock Osweiler, but more athletic. He could run the bootleg, throw on the run, run the ball, and throw it deep if need be. Plus the Broncos a top ranked defense to make things easier for Lynch.
I think it is an ideal fit for both sides.
Now if the Broncos want Lynch, they more than likely need to trade up to select him. There are probably three first-round quarterbacks in this year's draft, and at most nine NFL teams who all could take Lynch in the first round before the Broncos pick at 31. Those teams being the Cleveland Browns at 2, Dallas Cowboys at 4, San Fransisco 49ers at 7, Philadelphia Eagles at 8, Los Angeles Rams at 15, Buffalo Bills at 19, New York Jets at 20, Kansas City Chiefs at 28, and the Arizona Cardinals at 29.
Now Carson Wentz and Jared Goff are likely to go in the top 10, so that leaves Lynch to go to either the Rams, Bills, Jets, Chiefs and Cardinals. The Rams are moving to LA and are in need of a quarterback so they could look to Lynch as their new Franchise guy. The Bills have Tyrod Taylor but have been looking at quarterbacks throughout this entire process. The Jets might be in the market for a quarterback if they cannot sign Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the Chiefs recently brought in Lynch in for a visit so there could be some interest there. Carson Palmer isn't getting any younger so they could look at Paxton Lynch as their quarterback of the future.
Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway will need to figure out which teams are really after Lynch and try to move up ahead of them if he feels they are also after him. He also has to watch out for a team moving back into the first round to select Lynch.
If Lynch is the guy Elway wants, he will find a way to draft him.