Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer 8y

Paxton Lynch's vision, ability to extend plays impressed Broncos

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- In the end, the eyes had it.

When the Denver Broncos decided to get the quarterback they coveted in the first round, they did it because the decision-makers liked Paxton Lynch.

The Broncos liked his size (6-feet-6 5/8-inches, 244 pounds), arm strength, mobility, toughness and really liked his work ethic.

They believe he will grow into being a leader, a guy who will be out front for a franchise with five consecutive division titles and two Super Bowl trips in three seasons. But Lynch’s ability to keep his eyes down the field -- inĀ an offense that likes to put the quarterback on the move and wants to pump up the big-play potential -- was a big piece of the decision.

"When I watch him on film, the thing that’s really exciting is that this guy extends plays," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. “He has the knack for making people miss, extending plays, and it’s really hard in this business to coach guys to keep their eyes down the field when they’re moving, and this guy does a great job of that. (A) big, strong kid, makes all the throws, moves around very, very well and, like I said, very motivated too."

Lynch will get the time he needs to make the transition from a spread offense at the University of Memphis to the Broncos’ scheme. He’ll be under center more, he will roll out more, throw on the move more, and he will be asked to look downfield more as Kubiak covets the deep ball off play-action.

Former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer has called it “the money play, fake that handoff, roll and throw it down the hash. When (Kubiak’s) offense has that going, it’s hard for a defense to deal with."

And for that a quarterback’s eyes have to be on potential receivers, not potential trouble from pass rushers. The quarterback has to feel the rush and see the open man.

Lynch, who will not be rushed through the learning curve by the Broncos with Mark Sanchez poised to be the team’s starter, said he had worked almost exclusively under center in his pre-draft workouts. He said he understands the transition and he’s "ready to get to work."

“The biggest thing I’ve heard mechanically is footwork just because I came from the spread offense and we did a lot of stuff out of the gun," Lynch said. “I think I’m going to have to get under center and really push the tempo on my footwork and getting my feet lined up where I have to throw the ball. I know it’s going to be a big step for me at the next level, but I’m excited to see what happens when I take my footwork to the next level as well."

The Broncos will get their first small glimpse of Lynch’s on-field work later this week when they hold a two-day rookie minicamp Friday and Saturday. The Broncos will do mostly walk-through work in the practices, but it will be Lynch’s first real introduction to the team’s playbook.

“I wouldn’t say I am a project," Lynch said. “Obviously every quarterback coming out of college, we have stuff that they need to work on. I don’t think any quarterback is ready so I guess you could say every quarterback is a project when they first get in."

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