The Denver Broncos have -- at long last -- found their quarterback of the future.
The Broncos traded up with the Seahawks on Thursday, moving up to the 26th overall pick to select Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch. To complete the deal, the Broncos sent Seattle the 31st pick and a third-round selection (No. 94).
Lynch joins a quarterback room that includes Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian. Lynch is widely seen as a project who will take time to learn how to effectively navigate a pro-style system. That could be very good news for Sanchez, who now has a solid chance to be behind center when the Broncos begin their title defense against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 8. Bet you didn't see that coming.
"Obviously it's one of the best (teams) in the league -- especially last year. They won the Super Bowl. They're the reigning Super Bowl champs," Lynch said in an interview on NFL Network. "They have a great defense. As a young quarterback, if (you get) a chance to play, that obviously benefits (me) a lot having the best defense in the league."
The Lynch selection should also eliminate further speculation connecting the Broncos to 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who increasingly appears to be headed toward a August competition with Blaine Gabbert.
Lynch has all the tools. He towers at 6-foot-7 (Brock Osweiler who?) and possesses a rocket arm and above-average scrambling ability. What Lynch lacks is any experience in a true offense. He's never been in a huddle, never been under center and never made calls at the line of scrimmage. NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock stressed during the draft telecast that Lynch is a year away.
Lynch is a sensible pick for the Broncos given their needs, but the biggest question is how patient they will be with a talented -- but raw -- prospect. John Elway and Gary Kubiak have inherited a compelling project.