NFL Mock Draft 2016: Los Angeles Rams Select Paxton Lynch

Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

There seems to be little consensus as to who the best QB is n the draft this year, but there remains little doubt that the crème de la crème are Cal's Jared Goff, North Dakota State's Carson Wentz, and Memphis' Paxton Lynch (in no particular order).

The Rams have an excellent defense and what appears to be a perennial Pro Bowl caliber RB in Todd Gurley, though they are painfully in need of (arguably, in order) a signal caller and a WR.

With the way this mock draft has gone thus far, with no WRs yet off the board (possibly someone like Pittsburgh's Tyler Boyd or Ohio State's Michael Thomas) together with the availability of Paxton Lynch at 15th overall, this pick is an easy one.

The 6'7 245-pound Lynch has three seasons as starting QB for the FBS Memphis Tigers. In 2015, Lynch led his team to impressive victories against Kansas, Cincinnati, and Ole Miss en route to a 9-3 record before ultimately succumbing to the Auburn Tigers 31-10 in the Birmingham Bowl.

In those three seasons, Lynch accounted for 8,865 yards passing at 62.9% for 59 TDs to 23 interceptions (~3:1). Despite his size, Lynch also is a pretty competent scrambler with 687 yards rushing and 17 TDs through his college career. His combination of size and dual-threat ability lead him to draw comparisons to Cam Newton.

You see Brock Osweiler, 6-7, 6-8, and whenever he got his chance he played really well. Then you have Cam Newton who is just a freak athlete, size and ability, playing as well as he is. When they play well it makes me look good as well, being my size.

His words, not mine.

In addition to his combination of height and above average speed and feet quickness, Lynch has a strong arm and rarely takes sacks (15 times over 477 drop backs). He makes good decisions and, as stats go, has shown marked improvement in his passing game over each season - 58.2%/2,056 yards/9 TD to 10 interceptions in 2013, compared with 66.8%/3,778 yards/28 TD to 4 interceptions (7:1) in 2015.

According to his draft profile, Lance Zierlein suggests Lynch needs to get quicker through his progressions and needs to improve looking off defenders (both teachable skills in the pros). And, as bigger QBs are wont to do, he sometimes strong arms passes, causing them to sail.

Between the impending parting of Nick Foles, leaving only Case Keenum and Sean Mannion in the fold, and the enticing pairing of Gurley with Lynch in a read option offense, this selection would immediately transform the NFL's 2015 32nd ranked offense and Jeff Fisher will finally have no more excuses for why his team has yet to attain a .500 record.

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Thanks to all the CSC members who participated in this year's community mock draft. Without your help, none of this would be possible.

Below are the complete results from our community mock draft.

Catch up with all of the mock draft selections in our 2016 CSC Community Mock Draft Hub.