Below is the PFF draft profile for Memphis' Paxton Lynch, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.
Position fit: Starting QB
Stats to Know: Graded at +30.5 overall in 2015, good for 12th in the nation after a +17.0 finish in 2014 that ranked 21st
What he does best:
— Quick setup and release in the pocket — rare for a QB of his size
— Can use the quick release on run/pass option plays. Gives offense some flexibility
— Threw only three passes beyond 40 yards in the air, but two of them were perfect, on-target strikes on deep posts. May be able to take advantage of the post route against one-on-one coverage at the next level
— Very good touch, had a number of impressive “bucket” throws
— Is athletic for his size, though unlikely he’s a major running threat in the NFL. Has enough to keep the ball on zone read, however
— Shows enough zip to fit passes into tight windows against zone coverage
— Made a few “wow” throws at intermediate and deep levels with perfect accuracy
— Worked back to his second read and completed passes with accuracy
— Keeps his eyes up when on the move, looking to throw from outside the pocket
— Has improved every year since high school
Biggest concern:
— Accuracy seems to wane when he tries to throw with velocity at the short and intermediate level
— Accuracy at the intermediate level and outside the numbers was poor (49.0 percent accuracy percentage, among the lowest in the nation)
— Average accuracy between 21 and 40 yards
— A high percentage of his throws were either screens or designed rollouts
— Generally a good decision maker, but did have a few throws in which he failed to see an underneath zone defender
— Had a lot of wide open throws on coverage busts
— Missed on quite a few back shoulder throws. May have issues beating tight man coverage on the outside
— Has some ugly throws very late in the progression, either poor decisions throwing into coverage or inaccuracy
— Inconsistent when throwing on the run
— Hits lulls where his accuracy is all over the place
Bottom line:
There’s a lot to like about Lynch’s game, especially given his continued development since high school. He throws accurately to the intermediate level, but coming out of a quirky system that featured a high number of screens and rollouts, there’s some projection to Lynch’s game as a 30-plus dropback passer at the next level. He’s solid across the board in many areas, and he has a skillset to build around at the next level, though he’s a step below some of the other QBs in the class.
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