Today’s NFL puts a premium on versatile defensive linemen who can make plays no matter where they line up.
If your favorite team is looking for that kind of player in the 2020 NFL draft, Baylor’s James Lynch is the man for the job.
Lynch recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his experience at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, why he was able to put up such big numbers for the Bears last season, and what kind of player he’ll be at the next level.
JM: You posted 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss last season. What is it about your game that lead to such production?
JL: I think the biggest thing for me is my knowledge of the game. It’s all about the way I prepare. I’m always ready for a game. I always have a good feel for what’s gonna happen depending on the situation. My preparation allows me to process what’s happening around me and it lead to the disruption you just talked about. It allowed me to make things happen in the back-field. I love the game of football. I always wanna find a way to have a positive impact on the game. Whether that means I’m making the play or taking on a double team to free up one of my teammates, I’m happy to do either. I love my teammates. My mental preparation really helped me out this year.
JM: What was your experience like at the NFL Scouting Combine?
JL: I grew up watching football my whole life. I definitely had a moment where the realization of everything I’m going through just sunk in. I’m really at the combine and I’m really meeting these coaches right now. It was amazing to be there. I was just soaking it all up. There was so much free knowledge being given out. The mentor that we had for the D-line group was John Randle. He had like 137 sacks in the NFL. Getting the opportunity to talk to him and pick his brain was awesome. We talked about football and life. He gave me some great advice to see me through the rest of this process. It was an amazing experience. I learned a lot from it. Hopefully I was able to show a glimpse of what I’m capable of at the next level as well.
JM: What do you think is the overall impression you left there in Indy?
JL: I think I made it very clear that I’m willing to do whatever it takes. They left knowing that I’m a versatile guy that’s ready to help the team win games. I’m a coachable, responsible guy. Whatever is asked of me is gonna get done. That’s how I play the game. I just try to find a way to make things happen. I’ll do whatever it takes.
JM: Did you have a lot of formal or informal meetings out there?
JL: I probably met with every team informally. Maybe there was like two teams I didn’t meet with. I had about six formal interviews as well.
JM: Which teams did you meet with formally?
JL: I formally met with the Cowboys, Titans, Vikings, Bengals and Eagles.
JM: Do you have any private visits or workouts lined up?
JL: I had a couple of them lined up. They were supposed to come down to Waco. We were scheduled to do some board work and an on-field workout as well. I don’t think any of them are actually gonna make it down here with this COVID-19 outbreak. We might have to FaceTime or something. Perhaps we can still do some board work in that manner. As of right now, most teams can’t make it down here to Waco. Everything is up in the air right now.
JM: Even if they’ve been canceled, which teams were you scheduled to meet with in Waco?
JL: Some of the teams that were scheduled to meet with me in Waco were the Cardinals and Eagles. Those were the main two that were showing interest. Those are personal meetings, not teams that were gonna meet with me at pro day. That’s a separate ordeal. The Eagles and Cardinals were actually gonna meet me the night before pro day. I would have done some board work with them at the Baylor facility right after pro day as well.
JM: What was the strangest question you were asked at the combine?
JL: I wouldn’t say I had anything strange, personally. The psychological testing portion had some weird questions, but it’s not like they were addressed to me, personally. Some of those were interesting. I didn’t have any weird questions asked in my actual meetings. The psychological testing asks some weird questions. One of questions was, “What do you think is harder: Being a wrestler or being a dancer?” I had to choose one. I said wrestling, but that’s a tough one. Another question asked if I would rather be a cat or a dog. It messes with your mind a little bit.
JM: How would you describe your pass rush arsenal?
JL: I think I have a very intriguing pass rush arsenal. I’m able to go from a five technique to a zero technique. I can use both speed and power. I can also use some quickness. It just depends on what I see in the film room. It comes back to preparation. The guy in front of me, it’s my job to attack his weaknesses. If he’s a slower guy, I’m gonna beat him with speed and quickness. If he has quick feet but he’s on the weaker side, I’ll beat him with power. I believe that I have the ability to switch it up. It just depends on the match-up really. I’m very versatile.
JM: Who are some of the best offensive tackles you’ve ever gone up against?
JL: I played against Orlando Brown, Jr. during my freshmen year. He was still at Oklahoma. He’s a very good tackle. I thought that Colton McKivitz from West Virginia was the best tackle in pass protection that I played this year.
JM: If you could sack any NFL quarterback, who would you choose and why?
JL: I think everyone’s answer should be Tom Brady. He’s the greatest of all time. Never mind a sack, I’d love to just tackle him (laughs). That’s the GOAT right there. It would be a cool thing to tell your kids one day. It would be an honor just to play against him.
JM: What kind of guy is James Lynch going to be at the next level?
JL: It goes back to what I said earlier. They can count on me. I’m very responsible. It’s not just about my teammates or my organization, I want the entire community and city to know that I’m a good person. I’m a good man at my core first and foremost. I’m gonna help in the community. I’m gonna produce on the field. I’m gonna do the right thing. That’s how I was raised. I wanna be the guy everyone can count on.
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