The Denver Broncos selected University of Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch with the 26th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Since Goff and Wentz are now expected to go to the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles, it initially appeared that the Cowboys were out of the running for a quarterback in the first round. Tonight, he was asked if Denver’s drafting of Lynch took Kaepernick off the trade market.
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Speaking with Peter King of TheMMQB.com after the first round ended, Elway broke down how the team got to where they are with the quarterback situation and said they’re “thrilled” to land Lynch.
“I enjoyed my visit there when I talked with [general manager] John [Elway], coach [Gary] Kubiak and all those guys so I love the place and now I get to spend a lot of time there hopefully”. He took care of the ball a year ago for Memphis, throwing for 3,776 yards with 28 touchdowns to only four interceptions.
Elway called Paxton a “big, athletic, strong young guy that fits us perfectly” after engineering a trade to select the quarterback whom scouts say needs some seasoning.
The Denver Broncos primary concern after Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler left is to have a starting quarterback.
Lynch will require some development.
But he was willing to move up as high as the No. 17 pick to get Lynch. “I think I’m going to have to get under center and really push the tempo on my footwork and getting my feet lined up where I have to throw the ball”, said Lynch. “It’s gotta be quarterback, because we don’t know what the situation is with Colin Kaepernick, if he’s going to be around or leaving”. In the trade, Denver not only gave Seattle their first round pick but also a third round pick at No. 94. The Broncos filled their quarterback need this offseason by trading for Mark Sanchez and then trading up in the first round to draft Lynch. “And we’re moving forward with the guys that are on this football team”.
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While Lynch’s mom and dad must certainly be proud and excited, the millions of fans that make up Broncos Country will all have their eyes on Lynch for years to come – hopefully. “There’s a big aura of people thinking I’m lackadaisical, I guess”, Stanley said. “I’m not ashamed to try to get it done”.
