Player: Paxton Lynch
Position: Quarterback
Draft Status: First Round, 26th pick (Denver Broncos)
Dynasty Rookie Quarterback Ranking: #2
College Stats | Year | Class | Comp % | Pass Yds | TD | INT | Rush Yds | TD |
| 2013 | Freshman | 58.2 | 2,056 | 9 | 10 | 127 | 2 |
| 2014 | Sophomore | 62.7 | 3,031 | 22 | 9 | 321 | 13 |
| 2015 | Junior | 66.8 | 3,778 | 28 | 4 | 239 | 2 |
| Totals | Three Years | 62.9 | 8,865 | 59 | 23 | 687 | 17 |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Much like Wentz, it's really surprising to see someone of Lynch's stature (6-foot-7) be so nimble on his feet. He put up 17 rushing touchdowns at Memphis, and is extremely quick when deciding to leave the pocket. This will force defenses into reactionary measures. Lynch's height also allows him to see over the defense and scan the field. Add in a quick release and a lack of a run-first mentality, and this could lead to some huge plays. Lynch boasts functional arm strength and knows when to put touch on it when it comes to intermediate routes.
Weaknesses: Lynch's accuracy did improve throughout his three-year college career, but it's still a major issue. He doesn't put the ball in the right spot on a consistent basis, which will limit YAC against speedier defenses in the NFL. Has a hard time making the hard throws, especially from one hash to the other sideline. Struggled getting past his initial read and has some mechanical issues.
2016 Expectations
The best-case scenario for Lynch would be to sit for a year or two. Most of his weaknesses are seen with project quarterbacks that need to ride the pine for a bit in order to improve. In this, I liken Lynch to a young Colin Kaepernick. This hope here, obviously, is that he progresses more than Kaepernick has in San Francisco.
Unfortunately for Lynch's long-term outlook, he might not be in a position to sit for a year or two. His primary competition for the defending champs will be Mark Sanchez, who leaves a whole heck of a lot to be desired in his own right.
We really won't have firm expectations for the 2016 season until the Broncos' quarterback situation is settled during training camp.
Should Lynch find a way to earn a starting gig, he'd actually be a decent late-round add in standard 12-team leagues as a QB2. The primary thing here would be making sure you have a top-end QB1 if you decide to roster Lynch.
Simply put, the weapons are there in Denver for Lynch to put up solid fantasy numbers as a rookie. The same can't be said for the two quarterbacks selected ahead of him in the first round. Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Devontae Booker will make sure of this.
Dynasty Expectations
If all goes according to plan in Denver, Lynch will find himself as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in the not-so-distant future. It's all about how the team decides to bring him along and whether he progresses at the levels we saw during his college career.
We have Lynch as the second-best dyno quarterback in this class behind Goff. The primary reason for this is the advanced amount of weaponse he has in Denver and what has to be considered a quarterback-friendly scheme under Gary Kubiak.
Lynch's mobility and ability to put up yards as well as scores on the ground come in handy here. And in reality, that really narrawed the gap between Goff and him.
What we are looking at here is fantasy relevance starting in 2017 at the earliest. Someone that can come in after being given the time to learn the nuances of the NFL game and be a top-10 fantasy quarterback on a consistent basis. His ceiling moving forward is likely just that, a top-10 fantasy quarterback.