My thoughts on Lynch (taken from another board):
Watched my four games of Lynch (minimum needed for me to make an evaluation) and I have to disagree with quite a few people I respect. I see a first round prospect. In fact, I see a guy that could challenge Goff for the #1 spot on my board. I need to see a few more games with certain situations and plays that Lynch is asked to make before I'll move him above Goff but wow, I see something completely different than a lot of you guys.
And since I'm disagreeing, I'll give you my thoughts:
Positives:
Outstanding composure in and out of the pocket - Never seems phased even when he has bodies around him. Just has that look that he's in complete control.
Impressive accuracy - I have to give Goff a slight edge here but it's not a huge edge and that's saying something because I think Goff's accuracy for a QB prospect is top tier. Lynch consistently hits the strike zone and his deep ball accuracy has been excellent in the games I watched especially on sideline throws.
Checks all the boxes physically - Size is an obvious check. Mobility is an obvious check.(I agree with Calvert's assessment of his speed) His arm strength is in the above average to good territory. No issues with that. Can make the throws he'll be asked to make at the next level.
Pocket presence and movement are solid - Lynch has no trouble feeling pressure and adjusting to it, he has no issues with his eye discipline, he is willing to step up in the pocket, he's willing to stand tall with bodies around him, deliver, and take a hit, and he's patient when he has time in the pocket. He doesn't have the same level of instincts and movement that Goff does in the pocket but not many guys do.
There are pro style elements in his offense - Don't get me wrong, he plays in a spread. However, there are pro style elements to his spread offense. He plays under center, he takes drops from under center, he has to play with his back to the defense when running play-action under center, he has progressions, he has reads, and Memphis runs a full route tree.
The nuances to his game are there - I'm sorry guys but I'm not sure what you're talking about when you say the nuances aren't there. When he misses, he typically misses in a spot where it'll be very tough for the defender to pick it off. He understands how to attack certain coverages and adjusts his game when he faces that coverage. For example, against USF's zone heavy scheme, he was using a lot of pump and shoulder fakes. Against man heavy schemes like Cincy's, he was throwing back-shoulder and throwing to well-covered WRs when he saw the DB's back was to him (giving his WR a chance to make a play while betting the DB would not be able to find the ball in time). There was one play where he scrambled against man coverage where his WR had stopped, Lynch told him to run up-field, the WR did which took the defender with him, and Lynch took off for a 12 or so yard gain to the area the WR had just vacated. That shows both football IQ and composure. His use of touch also changes based on the coverage. He shows off really excellent touch when attacking between levels against zone while he'll put more velocity on passes against man when he sees the DB's back is to him. Finally, that Tulsa pass I showed earlier is a great example of his accuracy, touch, and football IQ. Utilizes a shoulder-fake then drops the ball in where only his receiver can get it in the back of the end-zone. And he does this despite there being two defenders in that area because both defenders have their back to Lynch.
Mental processing speed is NFL caliber - I saw him go through 2-3 progressions on certain plays and he had no issues moving through them. There was a third down play where the HB ran a flat route with both WRs on that side of the field were running crossing routes (one ran a slant and the other ran a drag). Lynch first looked to the WRs and then hit the check-down (HB in the flat) in time to give the HB a chance to break a tackle and pick up the first down (the HB did). Lynch is aware of his check-down and will find him when necessary. He's not a guy that forces it down the field when he can hit a guy in the flats for a nice gain.
Negatives:
Holds the ball too low - This slows down his throwing motion and gives the look of a wind-up. His throwing motion itself isn't unnecessarily long and doesn't have a hitch. He just holds the ball too low. I think this is very fixable.
Footwork is sloppy and uncoordinated in his drops - His feet are all over the place when he's going through his drops and it can put him in a difficult position when he has to make a quick throw. However, aside from that, his lower body mechanics are sound. He's consistent when it comes to throwing with his base under him and balance. He steps into his throws when possible and his weight transfer looks good. He also steps toward the target and remains balanced through the throw.
Inconsistent accuracy when throwing on the run - Jshow is absolutely right about this. He doesn't do a good job of squaring his shoulders before he throws which makes his accuracy hit and miss while on the run.
He needs to be more deceptive with his eyes - Lynch needs to do a better job of using his eyes to move defenders and does lock onto receivers at times. He's not locking on so often that it's a huge problem but it's an area where he can improve and I'd like to see him use his eyes to move defenders more often. He's too reliant on his shoulder fake and pump fake right now to do that.
Overall:
From what I've seen of Lynch this year, I think he is a legitimate threat to Jared Goff to be the #1 QB taken. My opinion right now is that Goff is the more polished and nuanced passer but Lynch obviously has better physical tools and there are a couple areas of his game where I think he outshines Goff (aside from physical talent).
It's amazing how far he's come over his college career. I'd feel comfortable taking this kid in the top 10. There are a couple more things I need to see before I'm done with his evaluation (Ole Miss game [competition], a games where he faces more consistent pressure, and a game against a defense that really challenges and locks down his WRs) but right now, I'm fully behind him in terms of support.
I see the instincts, mental acuity, technical skill, and physical talent of a franchise QB. Personally, I think he's a better prospect than Tannehill was.(and I liked Tannehill...he doesn't blow Tannehill away but I think Lynch has better overall accuracy)
And FWIW, I think I counted three dropped INTs in the four games I watched. So jshow isn't wrong that he should have been picked more than he has...but I also don't think that's an unreasonable amount.
Also worth noting, I did notice some ball patting but when I tried to look for it further, it wasn't an every down sort of thing. But that's something I'm going to keep an eye on in future games.
