Even before Paxton Lynch took the field for a blustery pro day workout Wednesday, whispers from NFL general managers generated plenty of buzz about the former Memphis star quarterback.
By the time he was finished, there was even more.
Two GMs told NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks that the 6-foot-7 Lynch has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in the draft.
"He may come in and it may take him some time to get on the field, but in terms of his long-term potential and talent, he has more talent than some of the other guys in the class," Brooks said. "Because of that, he could pass them. But it may not be in year one or two, it may be in year three or four when he finally realizes that potential."
Those "other guys" would be North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and Cal's Jared Goff, the presumptive pair ahead of Lynch, according to draft experts and mock drafts. Of course, 30 other GMs could think otherwise, but if Lynch is fortunate, the two that regard him so highly will be looking for a quarterback at the top of the draft.
Here are a few other things we learned from pro-day workouts of Lynch and others:
- Lynch made 71 scripted throws for scouts, including plenty of higher-difficulty throws made more complicated by windy conditions. While the wind wasn't ideal for Lynch himself, scouts couldn't have been happier to see a pro day come with some adversity from Mother Nature. NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock said that he hadn't seen a quarterback's pro day with as much wind since Andrew Luck's pro day workout at Stanford in 2012. The outcome was just fine for the 6-foot-7 Lynch, whose arm strength was able to cut through the wind when necessary.
- Following the workout, NFL Media analysts Daniel Jeremiah and Brooks suggested the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos, respectively, as perfect team fits for Lynch. Both expect Lynch to be a mid-to-late first-round pick.
"I think this would be a situation where he would come right in and play. He's a Day 1 starter if he comes to the Rams," Jeremiah said. "... I think he'd be the best option they would have, and they way they could create a formula to win games, it could be successful."
Added Brooks: "This guy is a more athletic version, with a stronger arm than (Brock) Osweiler. The supporting cast is in place, you have a strong running game, you have a dominant defense, and you have pass catchers on the outside."
- Among Lynch's goals for his pro day was to show scouts more quickness in his dropbacks since his workout at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where his footwork looked more deliberate and typical of a quarterback who spent his college career in the shotgun formation. Lynch told NFL Network he believes he accomplished that, and Jeremiah noted his drops were more rapid, as well.
- There were 26 teams in attendance for Lynch's performance, including at least five quarterback coaches from the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints. Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman was there also, and the Billsspent some extra time with Lynch on Tuesday night.
- NFL clubs hoping Lynch falls to the bottom of the first round might want to look over their shoulders, particularly if the Dallas Cowboys or San Diego Chargers don't address the quarterback position with a top-five pick.
Texas A&M: Ifedi sharp; Williams transitioning
Big draw:OL Germain Ifedi
Don't forget:P Drew Kaser
Attending:There were 30 teams represented in College Station on Wednesday, all but the Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins. That included offensive line coaches from the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.
The skinny: Ifedi, a potential second-round pick, was the big draw at TAMU and put on an impressive workout, according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt, and looked lighter than his 325 pounds. Ifedi has experience at both guard and tackle and has been projected at both spots at the pro level. ... TAMU C Mike Matthews, who was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, ran 40-yard dashes of 5.43 and 5.5 seconds, with a 5.06-second 20-yard shuttle time. He also repped 225 pounds on the bench press 30 times. Brandt believes Matthews could go undrafted, yet develop into a starting NFL center. ... CB Brandon Williams, who was converted from the running back position by Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin, stood on his blazing 40-yard dash time from the combine (4.37). ... RB Tra Carson ran 40-yard dash times of 4.64 and 4.68.
Utah State: Big numbers at USU
Big draw:LB Kyler Fackrell
Don't forget:WR Hunter Sharp
Attending:n/a
The skinny:Two Aggies players who weren't invited to the combine turned in performances, according to the school, that would have been the best marks at the combine. Safety Marwin Evans, turned in a 42-inch vertical jump (Cal RB Daniel Lasco and FSU DB Jalen Ramsey led the combine at 41.5). Meanwhile, Devonte Robinson was unofficially timed at 4.30 in the 40-yard dash, a shade better than Keith Marshall's combine-best time of 4.31. ... Sharp, who was outstanding at the Reese's Senior Bowl, reportedly ran a 4.50 40-yard dash.
Also in action on Wednesday:Georgia Southern.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
