Many draft analysts believe the Denver Broncos will grab Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall choice, but they should also consider fellow 2023 Heisman finalist Michael Penix Jr. from Washington.
It appears that Denver is interested in Penix. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Broncos hosted a top-30 visit with the 23-year-old on Tuesday.
Penix led the FBS in throwing yards with 4,903 in 15 games during his final season at Washington, helping the Huskies to their second College Football Playoff appearance. He had season-ending ACL tears and shoulder ailments in his first four years at Indiana, but he passed his medical testing at the scouting combine.
Nix set the NCAA completion percentage record (77.45% in 14 games) during his final season with the Ducks. In his most recent two-round mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates has the Broncos picking the 24-year-old, noting that his accuracy “would appeal to head coach Sean Payton.”
However, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, roughly 30% of Nix’s passes in 2023 were beyond the line of scrimmage, raising concerns about his ability to throw downfield.
Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback and Fox Sports college football commentator Brock Huard believes Penix is a better match for Denver because of his greater arm and processing abilities.
“I do because there is so much volume. (Payton) expects a lot from his quarterback. There’s a lot to process. “(Former Washington offensive coordinator Ryan) Grubb coached Penix extremely hard,” Huard told Troy Renck of The Denver Post. “If you want to spray the ball over the field and have someone make every throw, Penix can do it. “Just watch his (CFP) semifinal game against Texas.”
Penix threw 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards, two touchdowns, and an impressive 97.7 QBR in the 37-31 win over the Longhorns.
Nix is a good prospect, but Penix’s skill set could make him a better one, and Denver should take a chance on him.
Leave a Reply