Bo Nix is the oldest of the six quarterbacks chosen in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but the Denver Broncos see age as a number.
“You look at it, it’s hard because this is new, but 24 years old is not that old for football,” Broncos general manager George Paton told Mike Klis of KUSA-TV in Denver. “To me the age, they’re going to be more, especially with a guy like Bo Nix, 61 starts, we feel like he’ll be more game-ready than if we were going to draft a 21-year-old.”
Klis added that three of the quarterbacks selected in the first round of the draft — Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings), and Drake Maye (New England Patriots) — are 22 or younger and have two full seasons of collegiate experience. Denver may believe Nix’s experience affords him a shorter learning curve.
“When you watch him, it’s pretty calming,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said of the 12th overall pick, according to The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider. “He’s quite efficient. You saw a lot of NFL throws in [Oregon’s] offence. “He’s making the throws we’ll ask him to make.”
Broncos quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, who were recently acquired in a deal with New York, do not inspire confidence.
Last season, Wilson finished 4-7 in 11 starts for the Jets, while Stidham had a 31.1 QBR in two starts for Denver. The Broncos may be better off sticking with the 2023 Heisman finalist.
Still, one has to ask if the Broncos overreached on Nix. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes he has a lesser ceiling and isn’t “convinced” that he’ll develop into a quality starting quarterback under Payton.
However, the Broncos have not reached the playoffs since Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning retired in 2016. To fix the chaos, Denver needs a seasoned signal-caller who can come in right away, which is why it is counting on Nix.
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