Cleveland Browns: 5 Reasons To Select QB Paxton Lynch In The NFL Draft

Lynch’s Athleticism

Paxton Lynch ran a 4.86 40-yard-dash at the combine, good enough for fourteenth among quarterback prospects. Not awful, but there’s more to speed when evaluating athleticism and the ability to evade defenders.

Lynch is an elite athlete, and his combine results say as much. He was first among quarterbacks in the broad jump (118 inches), and tied for first with Ohio State’s Cardale Jones in the vertical jump (36 inches).

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As I previously noted, his ability to make plays with his feet was put on full display at Memphis. The QB Power was a common move in the redzone for the team, and Lynch executed it to perfection. What he lacks in pure speed he makes up for with his size, agility and athletic strength.

Lynch’s 13 rushing touchdowns his sophomore season serve as an example of his ability to move the football on the round, as well as use his body to his advantage.

Paxton Lynch’s strengths are extending plays when pressured, accurately reading blitzes and taking care of the football. These strengths can hide certain weaknesses on offense, such as the Cleveland Browns’ subpar offensive line.

Next: Browns 2016 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

All these facts point toward Lynch being the correct choice for the Browns during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.