Paxton Lynch's Fantasy Outlook After Trevor Siemian's Injury

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch could become a hot fantasy football commodity after starter Trevor Siemian suffered a shoulder injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4.

Siemian took some big hits early Sunday and was carted off the field, although James Palmer of NFL Network noted the Northwestern alum was available if needed.

With the Broncos holding a 20-point fourth-quarter lead, it made sense to be cautious with the starting quarterback. If he misses an extended period of time, however, the rookie backup could be an intriguing option in fantasy football.

The Broncos traded up in the first round of the 2016 draft to select Lynch with the 26th overall pick. The 6'7" Memphis product possesses the physical tools to become the face of the franchise, but he's still a work in progress.

That's why Denver opted to open the new campaign with Siemian, a seventh-round selection last year, under center rather than the prized rookie. While the efforts to give him added development time were understandable, they may get cut short.

Now the question is whether Lynch is ready for the spotlight. He admitted to Aric DiLalla of the team's official website in late August that he was still navigating the learning curve.

"Obviously I think I could play," Lynch said. "I don't think I'm where I'm gonna be later on down the road when I have a full grasp of the offense and understand it well, but if I needed to play, I'm gonna do what I need to do for the team to keep us rolling."

Even with the lingering uncertainty, he's an intriguing fantasy option due to the combination of his potential and the Broncos' offensive weapons.

Denver features a strong receiving group, which is led by Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, as well as a reliable rushing attack with C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker—the type of talent a front office wants to surround any young quarterback with.

Furthermore, Lynch had some strong moments during the preseason, as the NFL highlighted:

Quarterback is a deeper position than most other spots from a fantasy perspective, so there probably aren't a lot of teams desperately searching for one. With that said, fantasy owners who need a backup should take a look at Lynch, depending on the severity of Siemian's setback.

While it's unclear how much the Broncos are going to open up the offense with Lynch at the helm, the upside is there. If he earns a couple of starts and plays well, it wouldn't be a surprise if he ends up holding the gig for the rest of the season and beyond.