Paxton Lynch spoke to the assembled media in Denver via conference call Thursday night just minutes after being selected by the Denver Broncos with the 26th pick in the NFL Draft.

Lynch was regarded by many as the third-best quarterback in this years draft but there have been some question marks about how ready he is to jump right in and play at a high level. “I wouldn’t say I’m a project,” Lynch said. “But every quarterback coming out of college has something they have to work on. I don’t think any quarterback is ready. I guess you could say every quarterback is a project but I know there are some good quarterbacks on the roster now so they’ll be some good competition.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m a project,” Lynch said. “But every quarterback coming out of college has something they have to work on. I don’t think any quarterback is ready. I guess you could say every quarterback is a project but I know there are some good quarterbacks on the roster now so they’ll be some good competition.”

Credit: Adam Kinney, BSN Denver

John Elway said after the first two quarterbacks were gone (Goff & Wentz) Lynch was the guy they wanted. “We started working early, Elway said. “We worked the phones from noon on, we talked from everyone down from 17. We were thrilled Paxton was still there. He is big strong and athletic and fits us perfectly.

As for how Lynch fits in with the other signal callers on the roster, Elway said it’s an open race for QB1. “They’re all going to compete. The great thing about our situation is they’re all coming up together. Even though Mark (Sanchez) is a vet, he is new to the system. Everyone is going to compete.

Lynch is expected to arrive in Denver and be announced by the team sometime this weekend.