Could Paxton Lynch be targeted by Arizona Cardinals?
By Jim Koch
With Trevor Siemian currently their starter would the Denver Broncos trade their other youngster to the Arizona Cardinals?
Prior to the 2016 NFL Draft, rumors were afloat that the Arizona Cardinals could have interest in quarterback Paxton Lynch. 25 picks came and went in the first round, and the Memphis product was still on the board. With Arizona holding the 29th overall pick, was it possible Lynch could fall to them?
It didn’t happen. The Denver Broncos traded up to 26 and selected Lynch. With no other quarterback worth taking at 29, the Cards ended up taking defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche.
But when the season commenced, Denver gave the starting nod to their seventh-round pick in 2015, Trevor Siemian. It was a bit of a surprise considering that Siemian obviously didn’t carry the pedigree that Lynch did.
Lynch did see action in three regular-season games. He was able to emerge victorious in two of the contests. His numbers were ordinary, as he completed 59% of his throws for 497 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
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If Lynch wins the starting position next offseason, then it’s possible that Siemian will be the one traded. But Lynch appears to be more of a fit for Bruce Arians’ offense. He’s bigger than Siemian with a stronger arm, two traits that the Cardinals’ head coach values in his signal-callers.
Compensation could also be a factor in obtaining Lynch. Just how much would it take to acquire a quarterback drafted in the first round?
Of course, it’s possible that both players stay put. Siemian, being a seventh-round pick, has a very manageable contract. Denver could decide to hold onto both for the time being and do more evaluating in 2017.
But if Lynch does become available, it may be a good idea for general manager Steve Keim to kick the tires. Arizona’s current draft position has them somewhere in the middle of the pack. It’s possible Lynch would be the best option at that point, but time will tell.