The NFL Draft is a time for teams to fill nagging voids or weak spots on their rosters that have been created by free agency departures, retirements, roster cuts, or general positional weaknesses.
Several of the teams picking at the top of every draft seem to have one thing in common: a need at quarterback. It’s no secret that quarterback play directly correlates to overall team success. However, many NFL franchises have had recent struggles in finding a game-changing, or even a game-managing, prospect to put under center. Some decide to turn to free agency or trade to fill this hole, but in many instances, the quarterback that is acquired by the team doesn’t live up to the expectations after the change of scenery or may not be a long-term solution.
In the end, one of the most valuable assets in football is a young superstar quarterback, and the only true way to add one of these elite signal-callers to an NFL roster is to draft one. It’s not often that one of these players is allowed to hit free agency by their original team, so when a team is able to make a selection in the top half of the first round, they must take advantage of the opportunity if they have a hole at quarterback.
It appears that the Denver Broncos have learned their lesson in this department. They selected former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This decision came after quarterback Russell Wilson’s disappointing and expensive tenure with the team. After failing to pass for over 4,000 yards in either of his seasons in Denver, Wilson was cut by the team in March, leaving the Broncos to pay off his massive cap hit. The Broncos have now officially turned the page on the Russell Wilson era, leaving Nix to hopefully become the new face of the franchise.
The Broncos have been looking for a franchise quarterback since the days of Peyton Manning. They’ve tried many times to fix this issue, but Bo Nix might just be the type of player they’ve been waiting for.
Bo Nix: A Former Tiger Who Earned His Wings
Nix was a 3-star prospect out of the state of Alabama and committed to play for Auburn University, the team that he grew up as a fan of. However, after a few underwhelming years as a Tiger, Nix made a move to the Northwest, transferring to the University of Oregon to play out his final few years of college eligibility.
Nix shined in Eugene, throwing for 27 touchdowns in his first year at Oregon. However, the best was still to come for Nix and his new team. The Ducks quarterback would throw for 40 touchdowns, only three interceptions, and over 4,000 yards en route to being named the 2023 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. To finish off his illustrious college career, Nix threw for 363 yards and five touchdowns to help Oregon defeat Liberty by a score of 45-6 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Player Profile
After a stellar collegiate career, Nix was selected by the Broncos in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nix is 24 years old, so yeah, that’s not the ideal age at which to bring in a rookie quarterback. However, his age comes with experience and poise. And if Nix’s career was to get off to a hot start in the Mile High City, his doubters and hecklers would be silenced.
As far as Nix goes as a player, he displays excellent pocket presence and dynamic ability with arm angles and mobility inside and outside the pocket. He also has great accuracy and can deliver on the run, something that can be a struggle for young players at his position. Focusing on his passing, his accuracy and touch, paired with solid arm talent, make Nix a threat in all areas of the passing game. He is able to excel in all areas of the field as a passer and routinely makes accurate throws under pressure without panicking in the pocket.
Nix is also a great improviser. He can create something out of nothing and has shown the ability to deliver well-timed passes even when a defender is in his face. His use of various arm angles makes him a threat even after he’s pushed out of the protection of his offensive line.
The Broncos rookie quarterback’s mobility also makes him a threat on RPO and read option plays. His high football IQ, paired with his athletic ability, allows him to read the defense on any given play in order to make a timely throw or to scramble for a first down.
Overall, Denver was able to draft a well-rounded and experienced quarterback whose versatility and improvisation may end up leading to a high-powered offense this season.
2024 NFL Preseason Breakdown
Bo Nix’s Stats Through NFL Preseason Week 2: 23/30, 205 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Full film breakdown: https://youtu.be/ErIwWNQtz7o?si=95NjlJg3t4OGcC0g
It’s fair to say that Bo Nix has been fairly impressive over the first few weeks of the NFL preseason. Due to his impressive start, Nix has officially been named the Broncos starter for week 1. Nix has shown undeniable poise and skill so far.
2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
In all honesty, Bo Nix doesn’t present much upside in fantasy football this season. He’s going undrafted in redraft leagues, which is no surprise at all. He hasn’t proved himself at the NFL level outside of a solid preseason performance. So, generally, Nix isn’t worth drafting in redraft leagues unless they’re especially deep.
However, Nix’s fantasy prospects change drastically in dynasty formats. His notable weapons in the passing game currently consist of Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Marvin Mims Jr., Tim Patrick, Troy Franklin, and Greg Dulcich.
As it stands, Sutton is the presumptive top option in the passing game after posting 772 receiving yards and ten touchdowns in 2023. He made some highlight-reel plays that were reflected in the stats with a CROE (catch rate over expected) of +7.5% last season. This number was 12th among wide receivers and just behind Eagles WR A.J. Brown. After averaging 12.7 air yards per target in 2023, he’s proven himself as a threat in the intermediate and deep parts of the field.
Josh Reynolds signed a two-year, $9 million contract with Denver after logging 608 receiving yards and five touchdowns in Detroit last season. He is an early candidate to be Denver’s second option for targets. Tim Patrick returns to the team after missing back-to-back seasons due to injury and figures to be a solid piece of the passing attack.
The Broncos even drafted Troy Franklin, Bo Nix’s Oregon teammate, in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft. The pair combined for 1,383 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns during their last year of college football. They could pick up right where they left off if Franklin can develop into the Broncos’ starting receiver.
Overall, Nix has a bright future as the quarterback in Denver and has shown a lot of promise, even if it’s only been in the preseason so far. He’s worth a pick in dynasty rookie drafts if your team has a need at quarterback. His style of play should lead to fantasy production down the road.
Conclusion
Bo Nix has a chance to truly change the Denver Broncos franchise and he has the talent and the weapons to prove himself in his rookie year. I think Bo Nix will have a solid first campaign and put himself on fantasy football radars heading into the 2025 NFL season. Watch out for this rookie quarterback, there’s more to this Denver offense than meets the eye.
