Broncos G.M. John Elway moved up in the first round of the draft to select quarterback Paxton Lynch, a developmental project who seems very unlikely to beat out Mark Sanchez for the starting job this season. But Lynch may not take as long to become the Broncos’ starter as most observers are expecting.
Elway said on Denver Sports 760 that Lynch may just prove himself ready to be an NFL starter this year.
“Is that going to happen tomorrow? Probably not, but you never know when it can happen,” Elway said. “We think he’s going to be ready quicker than a lot of people think.”
Elway said the Broncos did their homework on Lynch and also researched which other teams were interested in Lynch. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has acknowledged he tried to trade up to get Lynch before the Broncos beat him to it, and Elway said the Broncos were aware that other teams wanted to move up an get him. Elway also said the Broncos were confident that -- contrary to some mock drafts -- the Jets weren’t going to draft Lynch, saying Denver had “pretty good intel that they were going to pass on him.”
So what did the Broncos like so much about Lynch?
“He’s a young guy with tremendous athletic ability, he’s got the strong arm, can make all the throws, he’s smart, and he’s a guy that can fit into this offense real well,” Elway said.
If Sanchez struggles, Lynch may show what he can do in the Broncos’ offense early in the 2016 season.
