Analysts react to Broncos making Bo Nix 12th pick of draft

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is among those who suggested on Friday that the Denver Broncos reached by making Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix the 12th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

"This is too high for Nix, who I gave a round two grade," Kiper said about Denver's decision. "I get that Denver saw five other quarterbacks go before its pick and maybe the front office thought it faced losing Nix if it traded down. But this is a reach."

As had been expected, USC Trojans star Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers and North Carolina Tar Heels starter Drake Maye were the first three quarterbacks and first three overall players drafted on Thursday night. 

The Atlanta Falcons somewhat surprisingly made Washington Huskies signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. the eighth pick. The Minnesota Vikings then traded up to get Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy via the 10th choice.

"The fear with Nix is that he already has reached his ceiling; he started 61 college games at Auburn and Oregon," Kiper continued. "He was extremely productive the past two seasons for the Ducks -- he threw 45 touchdown passes and just three picks in 2023 -- but he was asked to get the ball out quickly and throw short. That won't work at the next level. He's going to have to go through full-field reads." 

While some believed earlier this month that Broncos head coach Sean Payton could get "pretty aggressive" regarding his pursuit of a highly rated quarterback prospect, others linked Denver with Nix regardless of draft position. 

"Payton is going to have to coach him up and turn him into an above-average starter, and I'm just not convinced Nix will get there," Kiper concluded. 

It's assumed that Payton will have Nix compete with Jarrett Stidham for Denver's starting job this summer as New York Jets flop Zach Wilson enjoys a career reset in a QB3 role. On Friday morning, ESPN's Jordan Reid predicted that Nix would emerge as the club's Week 1 starter.  

"We've all heard about how Nix's skill set -- accuracy and strong decision-making -- could translate well to Sean Payton's offense, and Nix's savviness will likely lead him to early snaps," Reid explained. "Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham are the Broncos' options outside of Nix, so there's a clear path for him to become the team's immediate starter."

As of Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had Nix tied for sixth among the betting favorites at +1600 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the 2024 season.