When the Denver Broncos selected Bo Nix 12th overall in the NFL Draft last month, questions swirled about whether he was truly the quarterback they desired. Given Nix was the final QB chosen among the top six taken in the first round, speculation arose that Denver felt compelled to choose him, possibly preferring a different signal-caller instead. However, as Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently clarified, Denver specifically wanted Nix.
Sean Payton’s Vision for Bo Nix
Breer explained that Denver had ranked Nix third among quarterbacks on their draft board, behind only Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, who went first and second overall. Notably, Head Coach Sean Payton was keen on Nix and prioritized him over other highly-touted prospects like Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, and Michael Penix Jr.
Breer reinforced this, noting that Payton admired Nix for his strong fundamentals and low error rate. After observing him firsthand, the Broncos’ head coach was impressed by Nix’s unexpectedly strong arm, further cementing the team’s desire to draft him.
Meeting Denver Broncos’ Needs
Despite some believing that the Broncos “overdrafted” Nix, Breer suggested that they had little choice but to secure their top pick. The Las Vegas Raiders, drafting right after Denver, might have snapped up Nix had the Broncos traded down. Ultimately, Payton and the company got their guy, and they’re thrilled with the decision.
Nix’s stellar performance in his last collegiate season provided compelling evidence of his abilities. He threw for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and only three interceptions while completing 77.4% of his passes. On the ground, he added 234 yards and six touchdowns. His consistent accuracy and mobility made him an attractive choice.
Bored so Bo Nix fun plays thread🧍♂️: pic.twitter.com/Pf5zCxaLWE
— Carter Dillon (@CarterDillon14) May 8, 2024
Bo Nix From College Star to NFL Hope
Bo Nix began his collegiate career at Auburn before transferring to Oregon, where he shone in his debut season with the Ducks. In 2022, he posted 3,593 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, completing nearly 72% of his throws. He also gained 510 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
The Broncos hope that Nix can be the franchise quarterback they’ve sought since Peyton Manning’s retirement. Time will tell if he can live up to those high expectations, but Denver’s confidence in him speaks volumes.
Source: nflanalysis
