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2016 NFL Draft: Scouting Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch

A scouting report on the Broncos first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

By Scotty Payne
Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos selected quarterback Paxton Lynch with the 26th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.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

Weaknesses:

  • 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

How does Paxton Lynch fit with the Denver Broncos?:

This is a perfect fit and probably the best landing spot for Paxton Lynch.

He is incredibly raw but has the highest potential of any quarterback in this class. He has the height, size, arm strength, and athleticism to be great in the NFL. Now he is coming from a spread offense so he will need work from playing under center but he has spent all winter working on that, and obviously the Broncos saw something they liked.

He really fits into Kubiak's offense so well. He will look great running the bootleg, has the arm strength to chuck it anywhere down field, and the athleticism to take off and run it if there is room there. Yes, he is raw but Kubiak's offense keeps things simple for the quarterback so this should benefit him early on.

NFL Network's Mike Mayock compare Lynch to Joe Flacco on steroids, and ESPN's Jon Gruden compared him to Cam Newton. They may not be your favorite players, but that's a SB Champ and an MVP right there, so I'll take that every day.

I love this pick, and I think he'll give the Broncos a Franchise signal caller for years to come. His contract won't cost much the next four years, and the Broncos get an affordable 5th-year option with Lynch.

He needs work, every rookie does but we need to trust Head Coach Gary Kubiak, Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison, and Quarterback's Coach Greg Knapp. They saw a quarterback they can turn into a Pro-Bowl player.

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