Bo Nix and Broncos make Oregon history in 2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft produced a quick quarterback run that put immense pressure on teams. The Denver Broncos barely landed their guy at No. 12 overall. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix will be the Broncos' new franchise leader. Nix and the Ducks joined a unique historical company in the first round when his name was called. […]
The 2024 NFL Draft produced a quick quarterback run that put immense pressure on teams. The Denver Broncos barely landed their guy at No. 12 overall. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix will be the Broncos' new franchise leader.
Nix and the Ducks joined a unique historical company in the first round when his name was called. It's the third time a Ducks QB was taken in the top 32 picks over the last decade, joining Marcus Mariota and Justin Herbert.
Denver might've gotten Nix at a discount from the former top-five picks, but they were high on the sixth-year senior. According to NFL insider Ben Allbright, Nix was the third QB on their board. I was also higher on Nix than most, pitting him with a similar grade to J.J. McCarthy and Jayden Daniels than Michael Penix Jr.
Nix is somewhere between Mariota and Herbert as a player. He's often criticized for ranking near the bottom of college football's average depth of target mark, but it's important to note that Oregon's scheme often held Herbert back as well. Denver ran a similarly limited passing offense in 2023 to keep Russell Wilson in check.
The key with Nix is that he wasn't always a check-down Charlie. He was dynamic at Auburn but overwhelmed by the daunting task of carrying a terrible roster. He had flashes of high upside mixed between bouts of terrible mistakes.
That changed with Kenny Dillingham at Oregon. His passing motion, footwork, and balance changed his confidence. Nix played within himself much more often and executed the offense. It almost won them a national title in 2023.
Although he was the last first-round QB taken, Nix should see one of the most favorable learning curves of the group. Payton's ability to craft an offense around his skill set is certainly intriguing. Nix's strong arm, great mobility, and ability to make plays outside of the pocket are key to his success.
But Nix can't be overtasked, either. His accuracy and poise aren't always consistent, so more work must be done in his development.
Still, it's a big day for the Ducks as they hope to have produced a second-consecutive successful first-round pick.
