Grading Bo Nix’s 2024 NFL Draft landing spot with Broncos

The weapons are not really there in Denver, even though Courtland Sutton is still with the team amidst offseason chatter. Second-year pro Marvin Mims will compete with free-agent addition Josh Reynolds for the WR2 spot, with Oregon rookie and Nix’s former teammate Troy Franklin joining the group via the NFL Draft.

Having lost center Lloyd Cushenberry to the Titans this offseason, Nix doesn’t even have the luxury of having an entrenched center to rely on for help. The offseason was not kind to the offensive line unit as a whole, as Denver looks to field a below-average unit in 2024.

For his weapons, Nix will have Franklin, Mims, Reynolds, and Sutton to target at wide receiver, the duo of Greg Dulcich and Adam Trautman at tight end, and the muddled RB room (Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, Samaje Perine, Blake Watson, and Javonte Williams).

While it isn’t the worst talent group a rookie QB enters into, there are some definite talent gaps that Nix will need to help overcome for Denver this season.

Year 1 Expectations

With the expectation that Nix wins the starting job in training camp, he should be given a full shot during his rookie season. The only reason that might not happen is because of Wilson, whom the Broncos acquired and declined his fifth-year option.

The fact that this season could be Wilson’s lone with the Broncos means that he probably will see the field, so the coaching staff can get an extended look at the former top QB prospect. Even with that being the case, expect Nix, even through some of his struggles, to remain entrenched as the season-long starter.

Nix’s sparkling TD:INT ratio in college (113:26) speaks volumes about how much the former Oregon Duck QB takes care of the football. While all rookie signal callers will make mistakes early on, the signs are pointing in the right direction for Nix to grow out of those bad habits early.

A consistent run game is a QB’s best friend, and with no real pecking order established, it might be tough for Nix to rely on that right out of the gate. Even if Williams remains the starter, he will consistently be looking over his shoulder all year.

Nix has the pedigree to be a franchise QB for the Broncos, even if his game isn’t that flashy. If he can help dissipate some of the noise around the QB room in Denver and give them a potential look at their future, then things are looking up for Nix.

2024 Stat Projections – 3,217 passing yards, 21 passing TDs, 13 INTs, 198 rushing yards

Fantasy Football Impact

There comes a point in fantasy football drafts that QB tiers don’t matter as much, and you essentially punt on that position until later in the draft. While Nix shouldn’t be thought of as your QB1 for the season, he certainly can be considered as a late-round QB2 option with some upside.

Especially in the round where you would be drafting him, Nix could show some promise and help your roster out if a bye week or an injury pops up. He likely will teeter around the QB20-22 range this season, but enough flashes could do the trick for him keeping a spot on your roster all season.

If you are looking at this year’s rookie QB class in dynasty formats, Nix is an absolute steal in your drafts. In 1QB formats, Nix is going anywhere from the mid-second to mid-third rounds, and in SuperFlex leagues, he is more of an early-to-mid second-round selection.

Regardless of league format, Nix seems to be slept on in the draft cycle currently, so you should try to take advantage of that discount while it is there. Before any camp tape starts to circulate on Twitter to drive his price up, scoop up Nix in your rookie drafts with the idea that he is going to take some time to develop.

Landing Spot Grade

Grade: C+

Look, outside of drafting one of the top three quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, there was not going to be a set-and-forget option for them. Nix represents the best of what was left, and while he was overdrafted, that is what it takes to find a quality rookie QB nowadays.

The Broncos should be taking the long-term approach with Nix, who likely will need some playing time under his belt before he starts to feel super comfortable. His relationship with his collegiate teammate in Franklin is an interesting storyline to watch, especially with how uninspiring the rest of the WR core is currently.

Denver is in no rush to compete with how their roster looks, which should afford Nix some time to grow and find his niche on this roster. Expecting a major turnaround right away is not realistic for Nix and this offense, but he has the intangibles to become a solid but unspectacular QB, exactly what the Broncos need.