Look, I’ll be the first to admit it, when the Denver Broncos selected Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in 2024, I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly fell out of my head. Another quarterback “project” for Sean Payton to tinker with? Really? But here’s the thing about eating crow: it tastes surprisingly better when served with a side of playoff football.
At 24 years old (now 25), Bo Nix was supposedly “too old” for a rookie quarterback. Critics were quick to point out his advanced age like he was collecting social security checks instead of touchdown passes. But you know what? Maybe experience isn’t such a dirty word after all. While other rookie quarterbacks were busy learning how to tie their cleats in the NFL, Nix was already operating like a seasoned veteran.
The numbers don’t lie, even if they might hurt some feelings. In 17 games during his rookie season, Nix threw for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions. Add in 430 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, and suddenly that “old” rookie looks pretty spry.
Here’s where things get interesting, and where I have to give credit where it’s due. Sean Payton didn’t just find a quarterback; he found his quarterback. The same coach who turned Drew Brees into a Hall of Famer saw something in Bo Nix that apparently half the league missed.
From Weeks 5-18, Nix ranked as the QB6 in fantasy points per game. Sixth! Not sixteenth, not sixth among rookies, sixth among ALL quarterbacks. He finished 15th in yards per attempt, 10th in completion percentage over expectation, and 9th in highly accurate throw rate. These aren’t “good for a rookie” numbers; these are legitimate starting quarterback numbers.
Bo Nix currently sits at an overall dynasty ranking of 22, positioned as the QB8 in dynasty leagues. His value has skyrocketed by 140 points over the last six months, and honestly, it might still be climbing. With a dynasty trade value hovering around a 2025 1.01-1.05 pick, Nix has become the kind of asset that makes fantasy managers second-guess their entire roster construction.
The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider named him a potential “breakout candidate” for 2025, and frankly, if this is what Nix looks like before breaking out, the rest of the AFC West should be genuinely concerned.
Denver didn’t just sit on their hands this offseason. They added veteran tight end Evan Engram and drafted receiver Pat Bryant in Round 3. Courtland Sutton got a new contract, showing the organization’s commitment to surrounding Bo Nix with actual weapons instead of whatever collection of receivers they were throwing out there before.
Here’s what makes Bo Nix so frustrating for the doubters: he makes the difficult look routine. His 27th percentile athleticism ranking should have been a red flag, but it turns out you don’t need to run a 4.4 forty when you can read a defense like a bedtime story.
The kid completed 350 of 538 passes for 3,454 yards in the regular season, with a 99.5% snap percentage that screams “franchise quarterback.” Meanwhile, other highly-drafted quarterbacks from recent years are still trying to figure out which end of the football to throw.
FantasyPros projects Bo Nix for 3,804.9 passing yards, 27.3 passing touchdowns, and 422.3 rushing yards in 2025. These projections suggest continued growth, not regression: a terrifying thought for division rivals who were probably hoping this was all beginner’s luck.
The Broncos have the 10th easiest remaining schedule, with upcoming matchups against Tennessee (12th easiest opponent), followed by Indianapolis, Los Angeles Chargers, and Cincinnati (4th easiest three-game stretch). If you’re looking for Bo Nix to pad his stats, this schedule sets up beautifully.
Sometimes the best stories are the ones that make you eat your words. Bo Nix has transformed from a questionable draft pick into a legitimate franchise quarterback faster than anyone predicted. His combination of football IQ, accuracy, and Sean Payton’s offensive system has created something special in Denver.
The dynasty community has taken notice, the fantasy experts have adjusted their rankings, and most importantly, the Broncos have their quarterback of the future. Whether you saw it coming or not, Bo Nix is here to stay, and he’s only getting started
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