Denver Broncos: The 2016 draft pick team wishes worked out
The Denver Broncos have had some pretty great selections via the NFL Draft in recent memory. Unfortunately, they have also missed on several high picks. Today, we take a look at a certain 2016 draft pick that failed to live up to expectations.
Among the players that were selected by the Broncos that year were defensive end Adam Gotsis, safety Justin Simmons, running back Devontae Booker, guard Connor McGovern, fullback Andy Janovich, safety Will Parks, and punter Riley Dixon.
But wait, “you forgot the first-round pick.”
Enter Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch.
After the retirement of Peyton Manning, the Broncos rolled with several different quarterbacks and still continue to search for the long-term answer at the position.
The selection of Lynch hurts even more when you think about what they did to take him: They traded two picks in that year’s class to move up and select Lynch. Even though the Broncos only traded two picks to move up, in hindsight they could have used those picks on other players.
The kicker? The future quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys—Dak Prescott—was still on the board, and remained on the board into the fourth round.
Mind you, there were several quarterbacks taken between the Lynch selection and the Prescott pick. Those included the likes of Christian Hackenberg (Jets), Cody Kessler (Browns) Jacoby Brissett (Patriots), and Connor Cook (Raiders)
Paxton Lynch’s journey following Denver Broncos stint
While Lynch was expected to be the Broncos’ long-term answer at quarterback, his play and off-field issues pretty much prevented that.
In his time with the Broncos, Lynch started just four games in two years and went 1-3 in that time. He had a 61.7 completion percentage and threw four touchdowns to four interceptions. He was unable to beat out several quarterbacks, including a seventh-rounder in Trevor Siemian.
Lynch was ultimately released by the Broncos and signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 to be the backup for Russell Wilson in January. His stint there didn’t last long, as he was cut on August 30th.
He was a free agent for roughly two weeks before the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him. Lynch was promoted to be the backup to Ben Roethlisberger following an injury that sidelined Mason Rudolph. In the end, he was waived less than one calendar year later.
Lynch recently signed with the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Oh, what could have been. It is very disappointing that Lynch did not live up to expectations of a first-round pick. From poor on-field play to playing a whole lot of Madden, he is widely considered one of the biggest busts, if not the biggest bust in team history.