New York Jets: Top 5 reasons why Paxton Lynch makes sense

Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets should continue adding more talent when it comes to their quarterback situation. Paxton Lynch could be exactly what the franchise needs for a brighter future at the position.

When it comes to the Jets and how quarterbacks overall have been with the franchise, needless to say it’s been a nightmare. It hasn’t been since the days Joe Namath roamed the sideline in a fur coat that the Jets have had a consistent quarterback that made this team a contender year in, year out.

Ryan Fitzpatrick had a phenomenal year for the Jets last season but make no mistake about it, he’s not a long-term solution at quarterback. It could be Geno Smith or Bryce Petty but they don’t exactly scream franchise quarterback at this point in time.

The secret to finding that elusive franchise quarterback for the Jets is to keep drafting more every year until you find that diamond in the rough. Of course not every draft pick will have a story like Tom Brady or go undrafted straight to a championship like Kurt Warner but one of these days, one should be the definitive answer at quarterback for the Jets.

When it comes to the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft, some say quarterback Paxton Lynch could be another solid option for the Jets to develop into a future option at the position. ESPN’s Rich Cimini even confirmed that the Jets have a pre-draft visit scheduled with him which shows some interests to get a deeper look at what he brings to the table.

Without further ado, here are the top five reasons why he would make sense for the Jets to draft.

Next: 5. No need to waste a first-round pick

Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

5. No need to waste a first-round pick

The Jets shouldn’t use their first-round No. 20 overall pick on a quarterback, not even for Lynch. While they do need to draft another quarterback to add onto their team for the future, Lynch is projected by many to still be available in the second round of this year’s draft.

Lynch has all the abilities to be a very good quarterback in the NFL but he’s still a bit raw and needs more development. He needs work on his accuracy and be consistent with his on-the-field decisions but these are attributes that are fixed through proper training and development.

While Lynch is considered a top five quarterback in this year’s draft, others at the position have a much higher draft stock. Players like Jared Goff, Carsen Wentz and even Connor Cook will all more than likely be drafted before him.

This bodes well for the Jets since they need a quarterback that can be molded for a future but wouldn’t have to use their first-round pick on to acquire. Lynch will more than likely be available when they’re on the clock in the second round which makes it an easy selection to make.

Next: 4. A solid dual-threat quarterback

Nov 14, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars won 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

4. A solid dual-threat quarterback

The way the offense of the Jets is being developed with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, it would be elevated with a solid dual-threat quarterback. One that can intimidate defenders either with his arm through the air or on the ground with his feet.

The spread offense of the Jets last season produced incredible results to the point where it broke franchise records. One can only imagine how much more dangerous it can be with someone like Lynch who is known to have the kind of skill-set to make the Jets’ offense a major strength again.

In his collegiate career at Memphis, Lynch totaled 8,865 passing yards, 758 completions, 59 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. On the ground, he also totaled 687 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Once he puts everything together by his second or third year in the NFL, he could be the next best thing to hit the league.

For too long the Jets have always been known as mostly a defensive team with a strong rushing attack. The NFL is a passer league and well, if they ever want to be a consistent contender that makes the NFL Playoffs and actually advances, they need to launch a potent offensive attack. Lynch could be a catalyst on offense down the road to light up that scoreboard for years to come.

Next: 3. A master of the play-action

Oct 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) carries the ball against the Detroit Lions in a NFL game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3. A master of the play-action

So far this offseason, the Jets made some big changes to their running back corps. With the departure of Chris Ivory via free agency, the Jets bolstered the position nicely thanks to some smart acquisitions. The Jets’ backfield will look completely different come next season.

With a new three-headed monster at running back featuring Matt Forte, Khiry Robinson and Bilal Powell, the Jets will more than likely stick to a ground-and-pound rushing attack in 2016. One that will win the time of possession battle and setup everything else on offense nicely, especially play-action plays.

This is an area that Paxton Lynch excels in. Not only is he a master at selling play-action plays, he could throw well on the run, turn the corner quickly with his speed to go the distance or gain key third down conversions on boot plays.

If the Jets plan to stick to being a run oriented team, Lynch might be the final piece of the puzzle down the road to run it efficiently. He would be flat out dangerous on play-action plays with the kind of support that is being built on the Jets now for continued success over the next few years.

Next: 2. More options are better than less ones

Aug 21, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) throws a pass during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Falcons 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

2. More options are better than less ones

Many believe that no matter what at the end of the day, it’s always best to have more options at quarterback than less ones. Smith could be the franchise quarterback the Jets need but his terrible past performances with the team in addition to his lack of leadership and maturity beg to differ.

Everyone is hoping that Petty, with a year off in his rookie season to learn from the sideline, could be the answer they’ve been waiting for to be their next franchise quarterback. While many are optimistic that after being developed the right way he could be a viable answer down the road, reality says there is also a chance he might not turn out as great as everyone expects him to.

It’s not easy being a starting quarterback in the NFL, let alone one in the media capital of the world in New York. It’s not for everyone as it’s been evident for a very long time that the Jets have been a revolving door for quarterbacks with hopes and dreams of being “the one” only to be shattered due to many factors.

Whether it was not giving quarterbacks the right talent around them, confidence or the proper coaching to be their franchise quarterback, the Jets will eventually get it right one of these days. Who knows when it will happen but it’s best to stock up on quarterbacks now so when everything falls into place, they’ll have plenty of options to consider with the most important position on the field.

Next: 1. Lynch has most upside after the big three

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1. Lynch has most upside after the big three

Of course it’s a matter of opinion, but it’s safe to say the majority predict Goff, Wentz and Cook to be the top three quarterbacks in this year’s draft. After the big three, the rest are all up for debate as to who has the better upside and higher draft stock for teams all across the NFL.

Lynch can be the complete package after a team like the Jets start to get him the support and mentoring he needs to take his career to the next level. He can hit short, medium and deep passes and has a good head on his shoulders to execute whatever he’s been assigned to do.

He isn’t ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL just yet but make no mistake about it, the talent is there. The new leadership regime of the Jets had solid results in their first year but it’s all about finding that balance in the long haul. It’s about doing your best to win now while also adding top talent for a brighter and even more successful future.

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Lynch would be a safe pick for the Jets to make to add another option alongside Petty for the future at the position. Two young quarterbacks molded to hopefully one day, take this team consistently to the playoffs and maybe even beyond that like a successful franchise player is capable of doing.

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