Sean Payton has found his quarterback.
The Broncos picked Bo Nix from Oregon as the 12th overall selection in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night. Nix is Denver’s first selection in the first round since they took Pat Surtain II at No. 9 in 2021.
Nix is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, having played in 61 career games and recording 15,352 passing yards, 113 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions.
Nix, originally a four-star recruit and the top dual-threat quarterback in the 2019 class according to 247sports, spent three seasons at Auburn before moving to Oregon and becoming a college football superstar. He accumulated 8,101 passing yards, 74 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in two seasons with the Ducks.
The Alabama native was a Heisman finalist in 2023 after setting Oregon’s single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508), and passing touchdowns (45).
He also holds the program’s all-time best completion percentage (74.9%), and is the seventh quarterback in school history to be drafted in the first round. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was the most recent Duck to be picked on Day 1 when he was chosen sixth overall in 2020.
Quarterback became a pressing need for the Broncos after Russell Wilson was sidelined for the final two games of the season and then released in March. Denver didn't acquire a veteran in free agency, so they traded for Zach Wilson from the New York Jets, who was the second overall pick in 2021 but didn't meet expectations.
With a quarterback room that includes Jarrett Stidham, Ben DiNucci, and Wilson, Nix has the opportunity to come in and start immediately. Denver has had 13 different starting quarterbacks since Peyton Manning retired in 2016.
Only time will tell if Nix can be the long-term answer at quarterback.
