Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos Draft Quarterback At Spot Most Analysts Would Consider Too High

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated 4/25/24

The Denver Broncos had one of the league’s worst quarterback rooms heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. They selected a quarterback at a spot most draft analysts would think is too high.

The Broncos traded with the New York Jets for Zach Wilson earlier in the week. The Broncos had Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci on QB chart heading into offseason workouts. They added Bo Nix to the mix with the No. 12 pick.

Scouting report on Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix

Per Lance Zierlein with the NFL Network, Nix has improved his pocket presence during his college career:

Rare five-year starting quarterback whose play has matured in front of our eyes. Nix displays the accuracy, arm talent and athleticism consistent with today’s brand of pro quarterback. He can be punctual in getting the ball out at the top of his drop or he can work through progressions and beat defenses with second-reaction plays. He throws with good velocity and puts the ball on the money when throwing on the move. Nix has shown great improvement with his pocket poise. He’s capable of moving the sticks as a scrambler or as part of the running game.

Nix has improved since transferring from Auburn

Nix was raw during his first three seasons in college when he played for Auburn. Nix was 628/1057 passing for 7,251 yards, 39 touchdowns and 16 interceptions at Auburn from 2019-21. He went 658/879 passing for 8,101 yards, 74 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in his previous two seasons at Oregon. Zierlein wrote some of the difference in his production was due to Oregon’s offense:

Some of his gaudy production has been driven by the Oregon offense’s design, but his talent clearly stands out. I’ve harbored bias from watching the overwhelmed version of Nix during his Auburn days, but as the saying goes, “tape don’t lie.” Nix appears more than ready to attack the league with an NFL-caliber skill set.

The … are getting a project quarterback

Zierlerin had Nix as a second-round quarterback. The Broncos were expected to move back later in the draft to select Nix. But with five quarterbacks going in the top ten this year, Payton had no choice but to move up for Nix to take a top quarterback prospect for the upcoming season. Payton will need to practice patience with Nix, but he’s the best option for a Broncos team that was put in a bad spot after releasing Russell Wilson.

Here are highlights of Nix from the Fiesta Bowl, courtesy of ESPN: