Broncos Land 'Plug-And-Play' QB in Latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft
During the coming off-season weeks, the Denver Broncos will be among many teams looking to solve quarterback issues heading into the new NFL season. The unruly Russell Wilson saga in Denver will likely reach its end within the coming days, leading to the question of who will be the next man up for the job.
While some could argue the answer can be found within free agency or via trade, many are projecting the team to inevitably select a rookie in the draft to mend their offense. The Broncos haven't selected a quarterback in the first round of the draft since 2016's Paxton Lynch (yikes) and could hope to seek out a better result come this April.
In USA Today's latest post-Combine mock, the Broncos ended up selecting Oregon's Bo Nix with their 12th overall selection. Nate Davis gave his rationale for his decision projecting the signal caller to land in Denver:
Time was, it was unusual to see five or six quarterbacks in Round 1 of a given draft. But time was, it was unusual for a team to trade a boatload of picks for a veteran quarterback, grant him a $240+ million extension, then give up on him two years later. But it seems that’s where Denver currently is, coach Sean Payton signaling at the combine that Russell Wilson could be out the door soon. Nix appears to have significantly more upside than journeyman placeholder Jarrett Stidham, not to mention the accuracy – nearly 75% in two seasons with the Ducks – Payton values, plus a nose for the goal line (38 rushing TDs in five college seasons). And with an FBS-record 61 starts under his belt, rookie passers don’t come much more plug-and-play than Nix would.
While the surge of quarterbacks selected in this first-round mock may be a bit high, the amount of needy teams looking to add a rookie under center could lead to this steep number becoming a reality. Within the entire mock, Davis has an astounding six QBs chosen in the top 16 picks.
Nix is coming off a stellar year with the Ducks, posting a season stat line of 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and only three interceptions on an elite 77.4% completion percentage. On the surface, you could easily see how a coach like Sean Payton could covet his accuracy and efficiency in throwing the football to plug into his offensive system.
However, projecting the draft stock of quarterbacks like Nix, J.J. McCarthy, and Michael Penix has been a challenge throughout the entire scouting process up to this point. A team like Denver in need of a QB could look to add one of these second-tier prospects at the position, but it can be argued that more talented players and other positions would be the better selection at this point in the first round.
Still, a player like Nix is someone Coach Payton can work with and build his organization around rather than taking a shot on a free-agent journeyman or reclamation project. The Broncos are desperately looking for quarterback stability, and Nix could be the one to provide that during his rookie contract, at the very least.
With just under two months to go until the NFL Draft gets underway in Detroit, expect the Broncos' draft questions to be answered in due time.
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