Broncos answer QB questions, trade up to select Paxton Lynch

The reigning Super Bowl champions have landed their quarterback.

After trading up five spots with the Seattle Seahawks, the Denver Broncos selected Paxton Lynch out of Memphis with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Broncos entered the offseason with plenty of uncertainty at the most important position on the field. A failed attempt to trade for Colin Kaepernick left the club with Mark Sanchez atop the depth chart.

Though it's unclear whether Lynch will end up as a Day 1 starter in Denver, there may not have been a better situation for him to find himself in while transitioning to the NFL.

Lynch's combination of athleticism and arm talent can be put to use as part of head coach Gary Kubiak's offense, and a defense that's still dominant will take pressure off him early on.

Paxton Lynch Bio

Position: QB
School: Memphis
College Experience: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-7
Weight: 244 lbs.

Strengths

• Possesses solid scrambling ability, will be a consistent threat on the ground in the pros.
• Fluid mover in the pocket despite his size.
• Has one of the best arms in the draft, could improve even further with refinement of technique.
• Willing to take a hit in the pocket to deliver a strike.
• Calm and collected under pressure, rarely forced into a poor throw.
• Consistently accurate on deep shots.
• Shows good understanding of when to use touch on throws.

Weaknesses

• Sometimes fails to rip throws to the outside. Balls can float, which limits the receiver's ability to run after the catch.
• Inconsistent accuracy on short and intermediate throws.
• Poor footwork and technique when rolling out or scrambling, which causes inaccuracy.
• Worked almost exclusively out of the shotgun, could struggle with the footwork of dropping consistently from under center.
• Not often asked to go through progression or move past his first read.

Combine Results