Broncos agree to terms with first-round QB Paxton Lynch

ENGLEWOOD, CO - MAY 06: Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) drops back to pass during rookie minicamp May 6, 2016 at UCHealth Training Facility. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - MAY 06: Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) drops back to pass during rookie minicamp May 6, 2016 at UCHealth Training Facility. (Photo By John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos have reportedly signed first-round quarterback Paxton Lynch to his rookie deal.

After the retirement of Peyton Manning and letting Brock Osweiler walk via free agency, the Denver Broncos are going to have some new faces at the quarterback position in 2016.

They locked one of the new guys down on Thursday morning, signing first-round selection Paxton Lynch to his rookie contract, according to Mike Klis of 9news.com.

“The Denver Broncos reached an agreement Thursday morning with first-round quarterback Paxton Lynch on a four-year contract that includes a signing bonus of $5,091,860 and a fifth-year option the team can exercise after his third season,” Klis reported.

The Broncos specifically targeted Lynch to be their franchise signal caller, trading up to the 26th overall pick from no. 31 in the 2016 NFL Draft to land the talented quarterback.

Lynch is a raw talent hailing from the University of Memphis, but the 6-foot-7 quarterback has  a ton of upside. With great mobility in and out of the pocket and a rocket right arm, Lynch has the skills to be a great player at the next level.

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That being said, he is probably not ready to come in and start right away. Lynch is an inaccurate passer who also needs to work on his ability to read defenses. Not to mention, the jump from the American Athletic Conference to the NFL is a significant one.

Getting Lynch under contract quickly is important, as he can now only worry about learning to play the quarterback position at the next level. Lynch undoubtedly has the most raw ability out of all of the quarterbacks on the Broncos’ roster, but he is unlikely to start in 2016 unless he shows quick growth.

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Lynch is currently listed as the third quarterback on the Broncos’ depth chart, trailing behind starter Mark Sanchez and back-up Trevor Siemian.

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