ORLANDO -- Who the Broncos select with their No. 5 overall draft pick will tell us everything about what the team feels about Paxton Lynch.
A first-round pick just two years ago, Lynch will have say in whether the Broncos take a quarterback like Baker Mayfield with that No. 5 pick, or the best player available like guard Quenton Nelson, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive end Bradley Chubb or running back Saquon Barkley.
“I think Paxton’s a factor, yes,’’ Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said at the NFL’s annual coaching breakfast here Tuesday. “Paxton’s had, what, four or five starts, 4 ½ starts?
“To deem Paxton not capable, that’s not fair. Obviously, it’s an age of instant gratification for all of us, for media, but it takes time to play quarterback in this league. I think once Paxton gets more time he’s going to be better as a quarterback.
“By no means Paxton Lynch is done. By no means at all. He’s shown enough in practice. Even in the games he’s played, I think he can play the position. He needs more time. That’s simply it. So, wherever we go in the draft with the first pick it doesn’t speak that we’re disappointed in Paxton. We believe in Paxton.’’
There are words and there are actions. If the Broncos don’t take a quarterback at No. 5, then they still believe Paxton can come on after he sits a year or two behind Case Keenum. If they take a quarterback at No. 5, then sorry, no one will believe the Broncos have kept the faith.
The Paxton era will be finished before it began. Until draft day.
“Right now, he’s the No. 2,’’ Joseph said. “Case is the one, he’s the two. That two has to be ready to play. We’re looking forward to him getting in the OTAs and getting into training camp and getting better this year. He’s a valuable member of our football team. He’s one play from being the start again.
“Having an example of Case Keenum is going to help him. Case has been through hell and back as a quarterback. This is Case Keenum’s first time walking into OTAs and actually being the guy. This is his very first time. So, he’s excited about that opportunity. Case is gritty. That helps a young quarterback to say, ‘You know something, man? Forget the world. It’s about you grinding and getting better every day.’
“If Paxton gets that form Case, he’s going to be better for it because Case is a gritty dude. That’s going to be good for Paxton to see and be around every day.”
No what else would be good for Paxton? A guard, or running back or receiver drafted in the first round.
