Broncos NFL Draft Results: Sean Payton Goes All-In on QB Bo Nix
The draft was no magic bullet for the Denver Broncos. Fans should not expect the franchise to suddenly be consistent favorites in the NFL lines when the fall rolls around.
I can’t say that selecting Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall selection warmed my heart, but it is hard to argue with his results at Oregon. Nix put up video game numbers throwing for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions while completing 77.4% of his passes in 2023.
Bo Nix is a quick processor, creative when he needs to be and routinely makes full field reads. Sean Payton loves him because they see the game the same way. Draw it up and Bo Knows how to hit. @BoNix10 @Broncos #broncoscountry
pic.twitter.com/Wo7CFioyih— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 30, 2024
Sean Payton was never a big fan of Russell Wilson. Yet, the offensive-minded Payton should still be given the benefit of the doubt to develop Nix.
The challenge for Nix is that Wilson became the scapegoat for a Broncos roster with sizable flaws. Let’s examine how the Broncos addressed these issues in the draft.
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Broncos Landed Steal with WR Troy Franklin in the Fourth Round
Nix will have a familiar face as Denver landed Oregon standout receiver Troy Franklin. The wideout was projected by some to go as high as the first round.
Bo Nix & Troy Franklin hopped on FaceTime as soon as Troy became a Bronco too 🥹@TroooyyyyyyTroy | @BoNix10 | @Invisalign pic.twitter.com/gCz4EvctXw
— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2024
Instead, the Broncos landed a steal in the fourth round and will pair the former Ducks teammates in the Mile High City.
Troy Franklin falling to the Broncos is quite reminiscent of Amon-Ra St. Brown’s inexplicable fall on draft day to a spot with nice early opportunity. pic.twitter.com/W6t2awdTCf
— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) April 27, 2024
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had a round-two grade on Franklin comparing the wideout to Saint receiver Chris Olave. Remember those crazy stats Nix put up last season? Franklin was one of the chief beneficiaries posting 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“Franklin might not get WR1 target volume, but he should be productive with a high yards-per-catch average and the ability to open things up underneath for his teammates,” Zierlein detailed in his pre-draft profile. “Franklin could become a coveted complementary piece for an established WR1 or a productive vertical target for a team looking for instant help in the passing game.”
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Who Else Did the Broncos Land in the Draft?
Keep an eye on second-round pick Jonah Elliss. The former Utah pass rusher posted 12 sacks for the Utes in 2023.
Denver also landed Notre Dame running back Audric Estime in the fifth round. The Irish standout posted 210 carries for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Audric Estime looks he might just be the Broncos next CJ Anderson. Similarities all of the place. pic.twitter.com/g97686CZBW
— Tyler Polumbus (@Tyler_Polumbus) April 27, 2024
The Development of Bo Nix Will Define the Broncos Draft
Ultimately, the Broncos draft will be judged by the performance of Nix. The new Denver QB1 could also define the future of Payton. The Broncos coach explained why he is bullish on Nix as an NFL quarterback.
“He’s extremely intelligent, really smart,” Payton explained, per NFL.com. “He handled a lot of the protections. 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.”
The NFL odds are stacked against the Broncos for 2024. Denver is last in the odds to win the AFC West at +1400. Yet, fans may have forgotten that the Broncos were 8-9 last season. Denver hopes the team is a few players away from returning to the NFL playoffs.
Questions of the Day
What was the Denver Broncos record in 2023?
The Denver Broncos went 8-9 in 2023.
Who did the Denver Broncos draft in the first round?
The Denver Broncos selected Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick.
