The Denver Broncos still have a ways to go roster-wise in the AFC West, which has been dominated by the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs for essentially the past decade. The last time a non-Chiefs team won was the Broncos in 2015, when they had a five-year run from 2011 to 2015 as division champions.
Any team, not including Kansas City, will have to force their way into the playoff mix with a Wildcard berth, most likely for Denver, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, the new Broncos quarterback could take them where they need to be early on, officially kicking off the Sean Payton era with a new first-round passer to help mold within his offense.
The 12th overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, Bo Nix, could be the answer and make the Denver Broncos a sleeper team this year.
Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix Already Making Waves
After the Denver Broncos rookie minicamp kicked off Saturday, Payton had glowing remarks on the rookie Bo Nix in his post-practice interview.
“He had two or three down the field throws [Saturday],” Payton said. “It’s almost like watching a good golfer when you watch his game … there’s a patience to how he plays, the ball comes out.”
This was the former Oregon Ducks and Auburn Tigers’ first exposure to the NFL, as he had a few moments getting accustomed to the playbook and the new setting he’s in over the weekend.
“Everything’s new, you’re learning a new offense, new teammates, new coaches, new practice style, everything’s new,” Nix said. “Everything’s new, you don’t really know where to go, you have to kind of follow your position coach around. [You] learn as much as you can, and not make the same mistake twice.”
Payton also mentioned the complexities of the huddle, saying that Nix was going through the motions and did well with what was being thrown at him this past Saturday.
“So much of it is huddle, snap count, break the huddle, under center, shotgun, it’s a process,” Payton said after Saturday’s practice. ” … He’s handling the install well, he had a pretty good practice today, he’s grinding through it, he’s doing good with it.”
There will be another rookie minicamp before training camp with the other players officially begins with OTAs later this May, to then extend from June into July with mandatory minicamp and then training camp.
When asked about the quarterback competition with the rookie, former first-rounder Zach Wilson, who Denver traded for this offseason from the New York Jets, and Jarrett Stidham on the roster, Payton just said this:
“We’ll figure it out, we’ll figure it out … We’ll have a rotation and we’ll go from there.”
Denver Broncos: First-Rounder Should Start Early
The Broncos haven’t drafted a quarterback this high since Jay Cutler, 11th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft, making Bo Nix the future of their franchise. Payton was with Russell Wilson in his final season with Denver before he was released, and the veteran is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 24-year-old reunites with fellow Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin, who they drafted in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nix and his former receiver had a connection in 2023 especially, with the quarterback throwing for over 4,500 yards, 45 touchdowns through the air, and six touchdowns on the ground.
One of the more underrated parts of his game is his mobility, rushing for 14 touchdowns the year before in his first year with the Ducks despite not being an uber-athlete.
The senior transfer was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, First-team All-Pac-12, and won the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2023 as a third-place Heisman finalist.
His renaissance from his days with the Tigers vs. the two seasons with the Ducks was night and day.
Denver Broncos: Nix Pro-Ready Taylor Made for Scheme
Despite being the sixth quarterback taken in this past draft, there are still high expectations for the Broncos and Nix. He is pro-ready due to his age and time in college, along with experience in big games with the college football playoffs this past year.
One of his best traits is not turning the ball over, as he had only three interceptions in 2023. Quick screens and the run-pass option game are what he’s used to, and that can work with Payton’s scheme within the structure of the offensive system.
Although Nix doesn’t have the biggest arm, he is accurate enough despite some ups and downs in that department. Having a weapon he is familiar with in Franklin is nice to have, along with Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds, Tim Patrick, and Marvin Mims Jr.
Nix could be one of the more productive rookie passers early for the 2024 season, maybe more pro-ready compared to the likes of younger prospects like Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy.
Even with some rumors that Nix not being the best in the in-person interviews, he made the most at the Oregon Pro Day and was decent at the NFL Scouting Combine, enough to be a first-round pick for the Broncos.
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