Bo Nix to Denver: Former Duck Goes 12th Overall to Broncos

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QB Bo Nix, the former Oregon Duck and Auburn Tiger, was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the 12th overall pick. Nix was the 6th QB off the board, as this draft is stacked with offensive talent. After trading for Zach Wilson this week, Nix adds competition to the quarterback room, which already has Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.

The Denver Broncos have been looking for their franchise quarterback since Peyton Manning retired, and fans hope that Bo Nix can finally be the one.

Bo Nix in Elite Company

By being selected by the Denver Broncos, Nix has joined some esteemed Oregon company. The 12th overall pick became the seventh Duck QB to be drafted in the first round, joining greats Justin Herbert, Marcus Mariota, Joey Harrington, Akili Smith, Chris Miller, and George Shaw. He also became the 22nd all-time first-round pick for the Oregon Ducks, who boast 10 alumni taken in the first round since 2013.

Bo Nix shattered records in his two seasons with Oregon, such as the single-season record for completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns. Nix is now the all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9%. After being drafted by the Broncos, fans can only hope his collegiate success at Oregon can be replicated in the pros.

What Do the Denver Broncos Get in Bo Nix?

Leading up to the draft, Bo Nix has been one of the more controversial prospects at the QB position. It is no secret that Nix is extremely accurate at multiple levels of the field. His arm strength is proven, and he can make all the throws. He has the ability to extend plays and create outside the pocket, but he had his moments of struggling out of structure. Nix can use his legs and be explosive when things go wrong, but at times he fades away on throws with pressure.

At Oregon, the offense wasn’t too demanding, causing many fans to be turned off to him as a prospect because it was “easy.” Everything he did in that offense, he did well, and showed he could do much more.

Coach Sean Payton seems to believe Nix is their guy and was blown away during his private workouts. Payton said, "When you watch him, it's pretty calming. He's very efficient, and it's not just because of the [underneath throws]. You see a ton of NFL throws in their offense”. He went on to describe Nix as “their target”. Only time will tell how Bo Nix will pan out with the Denver Broncos, but I am willing to bet he becomes the starter this year.

Draft Grade: B+