The Denver Broncos entered the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 with eight picks over the three-day draft.
The Broncos joined the handful of NFL teams searching for a franchise quarterback this spring by selecting Bo Nix at No. 12. The end of the short-lived Russell Wilson era in Denver created a need at the game’s most important position, and head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton had said they were open to trading up to get one of the draft’s top quarterbacks if they find the right scenario, but a record-tying five quarterbacks were taken within the top 10.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for analysis and grades for each Broncos pick.
NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis
Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300?
Draft pick grades: Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman rate Rounds 2-3
Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections
“The Athletic Football Show”: Watch live reaction to the draft
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NFL Draft 2024 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s scouting reports and player rankings
Round 1
No. 12: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
How he fits
The 2024 quarterback thirst is very real. Make it six quarterbacks in the top 12. This one somehow doesn’t feel as shocking as the Michael Penix Jr. pick — in part because that already happened. There’s a lot to like about Nix. In fact, the conversation with the former Oregon passer is very similar to the one with Penix: He’s older and there are physical limitations. Unlike Penix, Nix also played in a very college-y offense at Oregon.
Sean Payton knows quarterbacks, though, and Denver can’t go anywhere without one. I do like the fit here, as Nix’s quick release and poise should fit pretty well with Sean Payton. The Broncos at least needed a quarterback, unlike Atlanta. Frankly, I wonder if Denver (and Atlanta) might’ve been able to trade back and still get the QBs they wanted. For me, Nix is a bit better than Penix. But, again: It sure feels like Denver could’ve gotten more value out of this pick. A bold move, if nothing else. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A two-year starter at Oregon, Nix was an ideal fit in offensive coordinator Will Stein’s zone-read, West Coast offense (primarily “11” personnel), which was tailored to fit his strengths. After three up-and-down seasons at Auburn, the pressure appeared to be off his shoulders in Eugene, and he rediscovered his confidence, becoming the first player in college football history to surpass 55 touchdowns at two different schools. Finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting in his final season, he led the FBS in total touchdowns (51) in 2023 and became just the second player in FBS history to surpass 17,000 total yards.
With his quick, strong release, Nix incorporates different arm angles to quickly get the ball to his weapons. He is outstanding finding and attacking the voids in zone coverage and is at his best throwing on the move or when creating second-chance plays. However, the Ducks’ offense was designed to get the ball out of his hands quickly (he averaged 2.44 seconds per dropback in 2023, fourth fastest in the FBS), and his average depth of target was only 6.8 yards in 2023 (third lowest in FBS), leading to questions about him reading out a defense from a constrained pocket in the NFL.
Overall, Nix gets in trouble when he plays loose with his technique and his eyes speed up on him, but he understands where to go with the football, and his scrambling can give defenses fits. Though it feels unlikely that he will ever rank among the 15 best quarterbacks in the NFL, he has the tools to become a middle-of-the-road starter.
Nick Kosmider’s analysis: Why the Broncos drafted Bo Nix at No. 1
Grade: C+
Draft pick grades: Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman rate the selections
Round 2
No picks
Round 3
No. 76: Jonah Elliss, LB, Utah
How he fits
The son of former NFL defensive tackle Luther Elliss, Jonah Elliss is a smaller edge rusher who doesn’t have great testing numbers — but made a lot of plays at Utah due to his effort and general play awareness. A highly productive player who has a deep bag of tricks, Elliss is more of a third-down pass rusher than a three-down edge. He’ll make plays on third down in the right scheme, though.
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Elliss is an inconsistent edge setter in the run game, but he is threatening with his upfield burst/motor and skilled with his hands in the pass rush. It is encouraging to think of what he can develop into with a full bag of counters. His pro ceiling is an Alex Highsmith-style edge defender, although a high-end subpackage rusher is his more realistic NFL projection.
Nick Kosmider’s analysis: Why the Broncos drafted Jonah Elliss
Grade: B
Draft pick grades: Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman rate the selections
Round 4
No. 121 (from Dolphins)
Round 5
No. 136 (from Panthers via Browns)
No. 145 (from Jets)
No. 147
Round 6
No. 207 (from 49ers)
Round 7
No. 256 (from Jets)
(Photo: Rob Gray / USA Today)
