NFL Rumors: Denver Broncos Looking To Trade Up For Paxton Lynch?
The Denver Broncos have some needs heading into the 2016 NFL Draft, but no need is bigger than the quarterback position. After Peyton Manning decided to retire and Brock Osweiler signed with the Houston Texans in free agency, they are left with Mark Sanchez being their best starting option.
Sanchez may be a solid all-around quarterback, but he is not the guy that the Broncos want leading the offense if they want a chance at competing for another Super Bowl appearance.
According to a report from Walter Cherepinsky of Walter Football, the Broncos are looking to trade up from the No. 31 overall pick. He also mentioned that the Cleveland Browns are making calls to trade up from the No. 32 overall pick.
#Broncos and #Browns are looking to trade up from 31, 32, @DraftCampbell reports – https://t.co/U3dxjVSQ0f
— Walter Cherepinsky (@walterfootball) April 23, 2016
Paxton Lynch is one of the best quarterbacks in the 2016 draft class, and the Broncos could very well be looking to trade up for him.
Rumor: #Broncos looking to trade up? Could it be for Paxton Lynch? #Hmmmm https://t.co/0jUyzeyTVC pic.twitter.com/ozMkxcSivo
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) April 23, 2016
Last season with the Memphis Tigers, Lynch shot up draft boards with his impressive all around play. He completed a sizzling 66.8 percent of his passes for 3,776 yards, 28 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Those numbers show why many believe he can become a star at the next level.
Denver would be an ideal landing spot for Lynch and would give him the opportunity to start immediately. He would be playing within a star-studded offense, with both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders as his wide receivers. Having C.J. Anderson in the backfield would help take pressure off of Lynch’s shoulders as well.
There is no idea at this point in time how far up the Broncos would have to trade to get Lynch.
Some mock drafts have him going in the first 10 picks, while others have him dropping into the second round. If the Broncos wanted to be safe, they would need to trade up to around the No. 8 or No. 9 overall pick.
Standing in at 6-foot-7 and weighing 245 pounds, Lynch has an above average physical build for a rookie quarterback. His height will give him an advantage at the next level and he has massive hands as well. Whoever ends up taking him will not have to worry about whether Lynch can make tough throws in cold weather or in the rain.
John Elway was a great quarterback himself, which gives him even more insight on Lynch. If Elway believes that Lynch can become a franchise caliber quarterback, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Broncos be aggressive trying to trade up to draft him.
It is beginning to appear that the 2016 NFL Draft will be one of the busiest drafts in recent history from a trade perspective. Both the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks have already been traded, and teams are still looking to move around and improve their draft positioning or add more picks by trading down.
All of that being said, it will be interesting to see what the Broncos decide to do in the draft. Trading up for Lynch would make perfect sense, but Elway may be comfortable with Sanchez and signing someone like Ryan Fitzpatrick or Brian Hoyer. Denver won a Super Bowl last season despite not having amazing play from the quarterback position.
Expect to hear plenty more rumors come out surrounding the Broncos as the draft draws closer and don’t be surprised to see them aggressively try to move up to take Lynch.
Do you think the Denver Broncos should trade up for Paxton Lynch? Will he turn into a franchise caliber NFL quarterback?
[AP Photo/Mark Humphrey]
