The Broncos just traded for Zach Wilson, but that obviously doesn’t solve any problems, so they drafted Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nix has a shot to start all 17 games given Denver’s awful QB situation. Let’s break down the fantasy implications.
BO NIX
- Nix was a five-year collegiate who became one of the best QBs in college football after transferring from Auburn to Oregon. Still, his advanced age – 24 years old – and, while he’s not a statue, he doesn’t have the rushing prowess of the other top QBs in this class. Anthony Amico noted in his prospect profile that he doesn’t make many mistakes, scoring just a career 11.6% pressure-to-sack ratio and a 2.4% turnover-worthy throw rate, both of which place well among the Day 1/2 QB prospects in this class.
- The best thing you can say about Nix as a fantasy asset is that we’re projecting him to start 17 games (at least for now – everything is subject to change). The same can not be said for Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy. His benching risk is lower than most QB3s since he’s a rookie too.
BRONCOS PASS-CATCHERS
- The Broncos’ receiving corps isn’t good, but it does have some interesting pieces. Marvin Mims was stunningly efficient, especially early in his rookie campaign, but he struggled to put it together and earn consistent playing time. That should change with Jerry Jeudy out of the picture, and reports from Denver have been bullish. Josh Reynolds played well in a complementary role for the Lions in 2023. And then there’s Courtland Sutton, who no longer has to compete with Jerry Jeudy for WR1 duties. Sutton remembered he’s a massive WR with immense red-zone potential, scoring 10 touchdowns in 2023, and he’ll look to up his target share and yardage numbers as the undisputed alpha. Nix’s reputation as a fairly pro-ready, mistake-free player provides some hope that these WRs – Sutton and Mims especially – could exceed their current ADPs, and it’s good news for all DEN WRs that they got someone rather than rolling into the new season with Zach Wilson under center.
- Greg Dulcich should be healthy too; he was in and out of the lineup last season and could never get things going. Sean Payton spoke about him last summer as a versatile receiver; we’ll see if that review comes to fruition in 2024. He’s merely a final-round dart right now.
- This offense is likely still bad, which doesn’t bode well for the RB trio of Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and Jaleel McLaughlin, but, as is the case with the WRs, the black box aspect of Nix is at least better than anything Denver had on the roster before Thursday.
