2016 NFL Draft: Paxyton Lynch Could End Up With The Los Angeles Rams

As the 2016 NFL Draft nears, the Los Angeles Rams still have to keep their options open at quarterback.

Since we know that Case Keenum is, at least by word of mouth, the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams heading into their first season away from St. Louis in quit sometime, the question becomes what the Rams will do to help ensure quality play at the position.

There’s been plenty of talk about why Los Angeles should look to draft their next big star in a starting quarterback this time around, but recent history should make the Rams cautious when thinking of going that route.

Johnny Manziel was one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in all of football just a few years ago, but the Cleveland Browns’ gamble on him turned out to bite them pretty bad and the Rams can’t afford for that to happen.

Not only would it completely kill any team momentum in a new arena, area, and atmosphere but it would also make the fan base that’s waiting for the NFL to return question their team’s executives from the get-go.

In all honesty, there are several prospects that would probably be able to earn the starting gig in Los Angeles — one of them being former Memphis QB Paxton Lynch.

Lynch is joined by a quarterback class that includes Jared Goff, Connor Cook, and Carson Wentz, to name a few. He stands out from other prospects mainly because of the composure he can bring to the table.

What Los Angeles needs isn’t just any quarterback, but rather a player that’s able to adapt to the kind of leadership qualities they are looking for at the position.

Given how the Rams have performed against the NFC, particularly in their own division, the thought going into this should be related to making this team an instant contender instead of another roadblock.

One could argue that Goff, Cook, or Wentz would also be able to make it out of the gate in Los Angeles — and to that end, that is correct. Case Keenum and Nick Foles have been floppy, to put it kindly, so that really gives anyone coming from the college level a shot at the spotlight.

But what those three quarterbacks don’t have is the ability to make a name for themselves when surrounded by players that won’t entirely be able to make up for their mistakes.

Hailing from Memphis, Lynch had to find a way to make himself get noticed and he accomplished that much as of last season, where he was heavily involved in the draft conversations around the media.

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Lynch also has the advantage of height compared to other available quarterbacks, standing at a solid 6’7”. Notably, Carson Wentz is a close second with a height of 6’6”, while both Jared Goff and Connor Cook are 6’4” in stature.

The reason height should be important to the Rams is because they are going to want a quarterback who only moves when he has to, sticks to the pocket, and can be accurate in that scenario and under pressure when throwing across or down the field.

Goff, Cook, and Wentz have all demonstrated that they can handle the pressure, but the slight difference in height should be more than enough for serious consideration when it comes to Lynch’s pitch to be drafted.

Looking at statistics, Lynch is slightly beat out by Connor Cook in terms of interceptions throw — a 23-22 margin — but that shouldn’t rule him out right away. Yes, one interception can change the course of any game, but  looking at maturity should be just as important as any statistic.

In his final season, Lynch had the best year across the board, throwing for 28 touchdowns and just four interceptions — Cook threw for 24 scores, but made seven errant throws that ending up with the opposition.

Los Angeles, as stated earlier, is going to want a quarterback that can efficiently scan the field with little or no reaction time other than snapping the football.

Lynch is also the heaviest quarterback of the top prospects available, coming into the draft at 245 pounds. His weight will be a factor because it’s one of the ways to tell how hard it’ll be for even the best defenses to bring him down or knock the ball loose.

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It could also allow him just enough of an edge when throwing while being hit to slide into a Los Angeles Rams uniform — but if nothing else, his game speaks for itself.