Cleveland Browns draft profile: Paxton Lynch

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Nov 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) throws the ball against the Temple Owls during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Paxton Lynch Profile

Position: Quarterback

Height/Weight: 6-foot-7/245 pounds

School: Memphis

Stats: (link)

2015: 296/443 (66.8%), 3,776 yards, 28 touchdowns, 4 interceptions | 87 rushes, 239 yards, 2 touchdowns

2014: 259/413 (62.7%), 3,031 yards, 22 touchdowns, 9 interceptions | 113 rushes, 321 yards, 13 touchdowns

2013: 203/349 (58.2%), 2,056 yards, 9 touchdowns,10 interceptions | 88 rushes, 127 yards, 2 touchdowns

2016 NFL Draft Range: Late 1st-Early 2nd round

At one point in the conversation for the number one pick, Lynch had one of the best statistical seasons in college football last year. A near 4,000-yard passer with a 7:1 touchdown to interception ratio. After a rough performance in the team’s bowl game against Auburn, going 19 for 37 passing for a season-low 43.2 completion percentage, 106 yards and an interception, Lynch took a tumble down many draft boards.

A three-year starter at Memphis, Lynch displayed both strong arm power and good speed for a quarterback with such a large frame. Despite his mobility and success he had running the triple option in school, he is not too anxious to leave the pocket as he can sit in the pocket comfortable even in the face of pressure. When he should have to take off, he is more than capable of picking up the first down or finding an open man as he has good, but not great accuracy on the move.

Lynch is a strong passer in shorter routes such as screens, curls and slants, a majority of the pass plays run at Memphis, but as his passes get deeper down the field, his accuracy greatly wanes. Something that is not uncommon for college quarterbacks, Lynch will often stare down one receiver and either force a bad pass, or be forced to take off with other options open. While Lynch does have accuracy problems at times, it didn’t help his case that he was surrounded by a receiving corps that was prone to drops on well-placed balls.

Simply put, Lynch is a project at this point. He would often just try to do too much with the ball, leading to some of his inaccuracy and forcing throws. His ability to throw on the run almost seemed to give him too much confidence with what he can do out of the pocket. If he can reel himself back just a little bit, I anticipate a lot of those issues will secede.

Lynch has a very powerful arm, that if refined, could make him one of the best quarterbacks in this class. His speed makes him a definite threat on the ground, and without going as far as to call him a “dual threat” quarterback, his mobility combined with his size will certainly play to his advantage at the NFL level.

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