With the 2016 NFL Draft just two weeks away, Paxton Lynch is still squeezing pre-draft visits into his calendar.
The former Memphis quarterback meets this week with the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. Next week, he'll visit the Chicago Bears, according to NFL Media's Rand Getlin. Lynch's pre-draft schedule began slowly as he had just two private workouts (Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles) and two pre-draft visits (Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns) prior to Memphis' April 6 pro day.
However, since putting on an impressive show in windy conditions at his pro day, he's been very much on the go: Dallas, Philadelphia, San Diego, Denver, and now trips to the Bayou on Thursday and Big Apple on Friday. Along with Lynch, the Bears will also host Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell on a pre-draft visit next week.
The Saints and Jets have two very different quarterback situations. The Saints have one of the league's most accomplished starters in 37-year-old Drew Brees, while the Jets have lacked the stability at the position that New Orleans has enjoyed. The Jets have not reached a contract agreement with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, 33, who established career highs last season in passing yards (3,905) and touchdown passes (31). Meanwhile, Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler posted the best touchdown-to-interception ratio of his career last year (21-11) on his way to his seventh season of 3,000-plus passing yards.
Both the Jets and Saints drafted QBs last year, with the Saints taking Garrett Grayson in Round 3 and the Jets choosing Bryce Petty in Round 4. Yet, both teams are showing significant interest in QB prospects this year.
Lynch is projected to be the third quarterback selected in the draft behind Cal's Jared Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz. The Los Angeles Rams' trade for the No. 1 overall pick Thursday could be good news not only for Goff or Wentz, but Lynch as well. If Goff and Wentz were to be the first two players drafted to St. Louis and Cleveland, demand for Lynch would heighten for teams in need of a quarterback.
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