The Denver Broncos will likely start the 2024 season with a quarterback depth chart that includes Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci because Russell Wilson is no longer with the team.
Many have questioned whether the team intends to select its starting quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft because of the franchise’s unusual silence in free agency. One such person is ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.
In his most recent mock draft, Kiper Jr. projects that the Broncos will select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall choice, reaching a little bit for a quarterback.
Though Kiper Jr. noted that Payton might see some Drew Brees in Nix, Nix won’t be suitable for every team. “He can make any throw with lightning speed, and over the last two seasons, he was among the most effective passers in college football.” The Broncos might try to get a franchise quarterback by selecting Nix in the first round. If they traded down, they could also recover some significant investments. However, they must once again have a strong belief in his ability to succeed.
With 45 touchdowns, 4,508 yards, and just three interceptions on 77.4% of his attempts, Nix finished 2023 as the most accurate passer in the NCAA. He was the national leader in touchdown passes, the second-most passing yards gained, and the second-fewest quarterback to throw 20 or more touchdowns with three interceptions.
On the other hand, not all scouts think that he and Michael Penix Jr. of Washington are legitimate first-round passers.
If Denver passes in Round 1, it would have to wait until the 76th overall pick in Round 3 to draft a quarterback because it lost its second-round pick to the New Orleans Saints as part of the transaction for head coach Sean Payton. Sam Hartman of Notre Dame, Michael Pratt of Tulane, and Joe Milton of Tennessee might then be your best bets.
“By the time Denver selects again, Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and [South Carolina’s] Spencer Rattler are probably off the board,” Kiper Jr. continued. Therefore, in Round 1, may Sean Payton & Co. choose to trade down a few selections or grab one [12th overall] instead?I’m now leaning that way.
