Moving along to part 54 of our 90-part series — assuming the roster does not change before we are complete — which will break down each player of the Steelers current 90-man roster in alphabetical order. This series will encompass many aspects of each players game and their current role with the team. At the end, I’ll give some projected stats as well as their chances to make the 53-man roster.

Let’s take a look at a former first-round pick:

Paxton Lynch

Position: QB
Height: 6’ 7”
Weight: 244 lbs
College: Memphis
Draft: 1st round 26th overall in 2016 (Broncos)

2019 stats

N/A

Contract remaining

Expires in 2021
$825,000 salary cap number (0.4% of total cap)
$0 Dead money
$825,000 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

50/50 — The shorter training camp and the preseason shrinks the less likely odds for Lynch. Had 2020 been a regular offseason I would have boldly stated Paxton Lynch would supplant Devlin Hodges as the Steelers third quarterback. However, every second that training camp shrinks the more likely Duck continues his role as the last quarterback on the roster. Lynch is tall, athletic, has a big arm, and has a first-round pedigree, and I wouldn't be surprised if NFL coaches fell in love with his upside.

2020 projection

I won't waver yet, I think Paxton Lynch makes this team. I think he has a lot of good things working in his favor and will win his battle against Duck. That being said, I don't see the Steelers third quarterback getting any playing time in 2020, and won't do anything more than carry the clipboard on game days.

Projected stats:

N/A — Makes the team, but never actually plays

Summary

At the end of the day, the third string quarterback position shouldn't matter. If what happened to Ben Roethlisberger in 2019 never actually happened I don't think we would care as much about the position. I would be thoroughly surprised if anyone not named Ben Roethlisberger or Mason Rudolph played any snaps in 2020, and I could only see Rudolph playing in a meaningless Week 17 finale. But for the purposes of this article I will say that Paxton Lynch passes the eye test and will have a real chance of making this team.

Previously Highlighted

Ola Adeniyi
Marcus Allen
Tyson Alualu
Trajan Bandy
Zach Banner
J.T. Barrett
John Battle
Jordan Berry
Saeed Blacknall
Breon Borders
Chris Boswell
Antoine Brooks Jr.
Isaiah Buggs
Devin Bush
Deon Cain
Kam Canaday
Chase Claypool
Josiah Coatney
James Conner
Anthony Coyle
Jordan Dangerfield
Amara Darboh
Carlos Davis
David DeCastro
Christian DiLauro
Kevin Dotson
Bud Dupree
Eric Ebron
Terrell Edmunds
Trey Edmunds
Matt Feiler
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Zach Gentry
Ulysees Gilbert III
Derwin Gray
Joe Haden
J.C. Hassenauer
Quadree Henderson
Dewayne Hendrix
Cam Heyward
Alex Highsmith
Mike Hilton
Devlin Hodges
John Houston
Anthony Johnson
Diontae Johnson
Jarron Jones
John Keenoy
Tyree Kinnel
Christian Kuntz
Justin Layne
Leo Lewis
James Lockhart