2016 NFL Draft: Which Teams Are in The Mix for Paxton Lynch?
Former University of Memphis star quarterback, Paxton Lynch, has been graded and ultimately seen as the number three quarterback prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft behind North Dakota State prospect, Carson Wentz, and Cal quarterback Jared Goff.
Both players are expected to go in the top 10 – and Wentz could go as early as number two to the Cleveland Browns. Where will the dominoes fall for Paxton Lynch?
If we are playing the eye test, Paxton Lynch will pass with flying colors. The University of Memphis quarterback- turned first round draft prospect- has the physical ability to compete in the NFL right away, but that has never been the question.
Lynch and head coach, Justin Fuente, together took the Memphis Tigers from underdogs to top dogs as they reinvented the football program and took the team to new heights – utilizing the spread offense and winning with a quarterback whose strengths highlight as a very athletic dual threat quarterback with an explosive arm; a combination that is lethal in college football.
Lynch is a 6’7, 244 lb quarterback who can clearly see over any offensive line in the league. His vertical jump was 36.0 inches, and he had a broad jump of 118.0 inches at the NFL Combine. For his size, he has extremely quick feet and can get out of the pocket when rushers, such as Von Miller, come calling around the edge.
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Lynch is a huge specimen who can excel right away in terms of his physical ability but it’s really about the mental side (like most rookie quarterbacks) if Lynch can translate his game to the NFL.
From what I’ve seen of Lynch at the University of Memphis, he will need to improve drastically on his progressions and not rush and force throws into traffic. He has, however, shown the ability to make smart decisions when not being pressured in college but the NFL is a different ball game, as there is a learning curve for almost every quarterback who comes into the league.
The NFL Draft will always feature quarterbacks and teams that are in need of one- the 2016 NFL Draft is no different.
The teams in the draft that are in an immense need of a QB include: Cleveland Browns #2, San Francisco 49ers #7, Philadelphia Eagles (who signed Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel in the off season) #8, Chicago Bears #11, and Los Angeles Rams #15, Buffalo Bills #19, New York Jets #20, Denver Broncos #31 (even with Mark Sanchez and the possibility of trading for San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick).
The Browns at number two are expected to draft a quarterback even with the acquisition of Robert Griffin III, and as of now, it is likely to be Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State. The 49ers have shown interest in Cal quarterback Jared Goff with the number seven pick and Lynch has been regarded (thus far) as the number three quarterback prospect.
The Bills seem to have found their quarterback with the emergence of Tyrod Taylor from last season but was his performance of 3,035 passing yards, 20 touchdowns to only six interceptions enough for Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills to feel confident about moving forward?
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The Jets currently have a major need at that position (as they seemingly do every year) with the Fitzpatrick contract – drama (or lack thereof) remaining at a stand still with no end in sight – although with D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s unexpected retirement and the trade on Saturday evening for Denver Broncos-highlight star Ryan Clady – the move and restructure of Clady’s contract could free up room for a possible return for Fitzpatrick.
With Lynch’s physical ability he will no doubt have a good NFL career – and possibly great depending on how his learning curve and how he matures when he begins to play down the road. He is raw, which ranks him as third out of the top three quarterbacks in Wentz, Goff, and Lynch in this years draft.
However, if Lynch can put it all together, he potentially has the most upside and can be the steal at quarterback of this years NFL Draft. If Lynch is able to sit out a year or two and thoroughly engage himself in NFL offenses and learn the complexities of an NFL defense, he has the potential to be a top 10 quarterback in the NFL down the road.