Bo Nix, the No. 6 QB within the 2024 NFL Draft, is taking part in higher than that rating

Usually a quarterback drafted twelfth general would carry the load of huge expectations on his shoulders, however Denver Broncos’ QB Bo Nix was not the everyday twelfth general quarterback. 5 quarterbacks had been drafted forward of him, so 5 groups determined he wasn’t nearly as good of a prospect as one other signal-caller out there.

Coming off of his first four-touchdown outing in a 38-6 thrashing of the Falcons, now Nix is taking part in higher than any of his rookie counterparts. And most veterans.

Rookie of the Month is a shoo-in, and he’s SB Nation’s QB of the Week, however Nix was additionally the AFC Offensive Participant of the Week after turning into the primary rookie in NFL historical past to have 4 touchdowns, 300 yards, 80% completions, and no interceptions.

A participant who needed to switch colleges two years in the past simply to construct his resume to turn out to be an NFL Draft prospect after three underwhelming seasons at Auburn, Nix already has the Broncos on monitor to make their first playoff look since successful the Tremendous Bowl virtually a decade in the past.

The sixth-best quarterback prospect in a category is just not imagined to be this good, not to mention this good as a rookie. Fittingly, Nix changed Russell Wilson, who’s the final “sixth quarterback drafted” (seventy fifth general in 2012) to take his crew to the playoffs as a rookie.

Identical Faculty Participant, Identical NFL Outcomes

The primary knock towards Nix within the draft was that he excelled in Oregon’s passing offense (45 TD, 3 INT, 77% completions) as a result of each throw was virtually proper in entrance of him. May that basically work in an NFL offense and is that form of quarterback well worth the twelfth general choose?

Thus far the solutions are: Sure and Sure.

Per Subsequent Gen Stats passing chart, towards the Falcons Nix was 22-of-25 for 169 yards and three touchdowns on go makes an attempt with fewer than 10 air yards.

Two of his 4 touchdowns had been thrown behind the road of scrimmage, solely three of his completions had been past 15 yards. In Week 11, Nix had a season-best 9.3 yards per try, however a season-low 3.6 air yards per try. The ball solely travels about 15-18 ft.

Let’s ask the Falcons in the event that they had been inspired to permit Nix to full 28 of 33 passes, even when the ball solely traveled 15 ft within the air.

One of many large causes for that disparity is working again Javonte Williams:

• Williams has a mean depth of goal of 0.3 yards
• However Williams additionally averages 7.7 yards after the catch
• Jahmyr Gibbs averages -0.1 ADOT and 13.7 YAC

That comparability to Gibbs is essential as a result of Jared Goff may be perceived as a quarterback who takes extra downfield possibilities than Nix, but a lot of that notion is pushed by teaching and personnel. Not solely does Gibbs lead the NFL in yards after catch per reception, Jameson Williams is fourth (11.1) and David Montgomery is eighth (9.9) so the Lions do much more for his or her quarterback than what the Broncos are able to doing for Nix.

A minimum of, that’s the case this season.

The Denver Bronc-Bos

With one other offseason, the Broncos might put some extra of these YAC items in place and whereas the crew gained’t be free from the anchor that’s Wilson’s lifeless cash ($32 million left in 2025), Sean Payton can have extra play cash than he had the previous two years. Receivers and working backs needs to be atop his want listing.

And there might be those that need him to commerce up within the draft to ensure that Ashton Jeanty retains being a “Bronco” after a historic profession at Boise State.

Nix has already confirmed that while you give him extra assist, he’ll do higher, and making these round you their greatest selves is the primary job of any quarterback.

Perhaps the Broncos gained’t win the Tremendous Bowl this season. However possibly this isn’t your ordinary QBsix. And he’s not…He’s QBNix