James

Lynch

Lynch will undergo surgery and should be ready for the start of the 2024 season according to Pelissero. Lynch has appeared in 37 games since being drafted by the Vikings in 2020. He has two sacks and four TFLs over that time while also making the occasional contribution on special teams. Lynch will be a free agent in the spring.

Lynch (6’4/289) was a two-year starting defensive end who set sack records at Baylor and earned first-team All-American honors as a junior after leading the FBS in pressures. He’ll be a three-tech in the NFL, but he rushed from the edge often in the Bear’s three-man front. His power, hand moves, and chase led to 13.5 sacks and 19.5 TFLs as a junior, but his 7th percentile arms are a concern. A highly productive player with 53rd percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism, Lynch profiles as a rotational-level defensive tackle in the NFL despite average burst.

Lynch (6’4/289) was a two-year starting defensive end who set sack records at Baylor and earned first-team All-American honors as a junior after leading the FBS in pressures. He’ll be a three-tech in the NFL, but he rushed from the edge often in the Bear’s three-man front. His power, hand moves, and chase led to 13.5 sacks and 19.5 TFLs as a junior, but his 7th percentile arms are a concern. A highly productive player with 53rd percentile Adjusted SPARQ athleticism, Lynch profiles as a rotational-level defensive tackle in the NFL despite average burst.

While not a flashy household name, Ioannidis has been an underrated DL in the NFL for years and has put forth a plenty respectable career. Lynch, like Ioannis, is a bit too heavy for a traditional DE at 6-foot-4 and 289-pounds, but is not quite there for a DT. Lynch is a bit of a tweener with “explosive upper body power” and a “tough field demeanor.” For teams looking for a flexible DL who likely resides as a five-technique or strong-side end, Lynch is the guy.

Lynch (6'4/289) has been projected by multiple draft analysts to be a Day 2 selection come April, as he’s coming off of a junior campaign in which he earned consensus All-America honors and was also Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Dallas would be an interesting spot, as the Cowboys do need to add some talent to the defensive line. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein made note of Lynch’s upper body strength and power in his analysis of the Baylor standout, but he also wrote that Lynch will have to “diversify [his] rush plan at the next level.”

Lynch (6'4/295) was one of the best defensive linemen in college football this season, as he earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and was also a consensus All-American. He finished with 41 total tackles (19.5 for loss), 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 13 quarterback hurries and five pass breakups. Lynch, Baylor’s all-time sacks leader, also had an impact on special teams as he blocked two kicks. He’s projected to be a Day 2 draft pick, with Pro Football Network giving him a third round grade ahead of the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Lynch’s barrage of pressure and fortitude on the ground against TCU helped Baylor remain undefeated. While Lynch (6'4/295) did not actually record a tackle for loss or sack, he was a terror up front against a TCU offense that had been picking up steam lately. Lynch has 8.5 sacks on the season.

The Bears are looking for a replacement following starting P Drew Galitz’s ACL tear. Traditional replacement options such as Connor Martin (placekicker) and Peter Webster (Galitz’s backup) are in play for Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State, but Lynch represents by far the most fun possibility. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder averaged 43 yards on 27 punts in high school. It will be one of the immediate highlights of the year if the big freshman punts in a game this season.