Paxton Lynch has not attempted a regular-season NFL pass since his final Broncos start, in Week 17 of the 2017 season. The former first-round pick is about to try another league.
Lynch requested his release from the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, with his agent noting the well-traveled QB eyed a path to the new USFL (Twitter links). Canada’s stricter COVID-19 regulations played a role in this exit, and Lynch will receive another opportunity as a pro.
The Michigan Panthers selected Lynch in the 12th round of the USFL draft Tuesday night. Lynch, the 26th overall pick in 2016, was one of a host of familiar names taken by the latest upstart league. Michigan selected Lynch, 28, in the second round designated for quarterbacks. He did not play in any games with the Roughriders, with that stay following non-game-action runs with the Seahawks and Steelers.
The USFL event started with a QB round, during which Michigan selected ex-Wolverines QB Shea Patterson first overall. In Round 1, recent Patterson Chiefs teammate Jordan Ta’amu — also an XFL veteran — along with ex-Giants draftee Kyle Lauletta and ex-Vikings backup Kyle Sloter were selected.
The New Jersey Generals chose cornerback De’Vante Bausby in the eighth round. Bausby has considerable NFL experience, compared to most of the other players drafted over the past two days, having played for four teams from 2016-20. Bausby enjoyed two stints with the Broncos, making 20 tackles in 10 Denver games in 2020. He finished the 2021 season on the Patriots’ practice squad.
Ex-Packer wideout draftee J’Mon Moore landed with the Generals as well, and former Titans third-round pick Taywan Taylor went to the New Orleans Breakers today. The Breakers also drafted ex-Washington supplemental draftee Adonis Alexander, a defensive back. Fellow NFL supplemental draftee Isaiah Battle, a tackle, went to the Pittsburgh Maulers on Tuesday night. The Tampa Bay Bandits also selected ex-Raiders second-round safety Obi Melifonwu.
The USFL’s second effort, after a memorable mid-1980s run, is set to begin play April 16. All games will be played in Birmingham. The championship game is scheduled for July 3, in Canton. Should the USFL’s second effort reach the championship game, it would surpass 2019’s Alliance of American Football and 2020’s second XFL iteration. Both recent spring startups folded before their seasons ended, though a retooled XFL is set to return in 2023 and secured a formal partnership with the NFL.
Wow thanks for blowing up my fantasy draft now I gotta switch leagues
Broncos sure nailed it with that 1st round pick in ‘16
Where can we get the full USFL draft ?
Twitter
can’t believe that I missed the USFL Draft!
Was it on TV?
Going to be better than the NFL
the USFL is considered an upgrade over the CFL?
No. It’s more of a last gasp option where you might get some playing time. A CFL cheque is less likely to bounce and most NFL teams scout the Canadian league pretty closely.
Well, Sloter actually looked pretty good in his limited action with both Denver and Minnesota. That was preseason, but still, it should be at least some indicator for a secondary league like the USFL.
The player pictured is definitely not Paxton Lynch, though. The article does not state who he is, unless I missed it.
Wasn’t real clear. That’s Obi Melifonwu though.
Thanks, I appreciate the clarification.
Are there enough gambling addicts out there to prop up a league led by Paxton Lynch and Kyle Lauletta?
That’s the bet the USFL has made.
Otherwise, you could put Madden on without selecting sides and watch a better football game that doesn’t mean anything.