4 weeks ago
As quarterbacks flew disconnected nan committee early, nan Denver Broncos were near pinch 1 man successful Bo Nix.
Entering Thursday night, nan Broncos' backmost room consisted of Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci, and nan squad had small draught superior to waste and acquisition up.
But Denver judge seems happy pinch nan feline who fell successful their lap.
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Bo Nix of nan Oregon Ducks celebrates a touchdown walk successful nan first half of a crippled against nan USC Trojans astatine Autzen Stadium Nov. 11, 2023, successful Eugene, Ore. (Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
"He's highly intelligent, really smart. He handled a batch of nan protections," Payton said Thursday night, soon aft nan Broncos took nan Oregon quarterback.
"When you watch him, it's beautiful calming. He's very efficient, and it's not conscionable because of nan [underneath throws]. You spot a ton of NFL throws successful their offense."
Payton moreover joked that he was getting disappointment erstwhile analysts hyped Nix up.
"Once we knew this was our target … I would beryllium like, 'Shh! Can you beryllium quiet?'" he said.
"Look, I deliberation that a batch of times nan discourtesy gets built astir nan player. So, we moved successful a guidance for years comparative to what [former QB] Drew [Brees] did. But erstwhile he wasn't starting, it was [former QB] Teddy [Bridgewater] aliases [QB] Jameis [Winston]. So it wasn't for illustration 'this feline fits our system,' because our strategy — let's conscionable opportunity if it was different quarterback.
"We want nan champion player. We did our champion to talk astir different players and directions. It's difficult sometimes. You don't want everyone to cognize that this is nan player. But I saw what you guys saw. I would cringe and (general manager) George (Paton) would cringe. We're like, 'Ah!' Those are things you can't control."
Oregon Ducks backmost Bo Nix aft nan Pac-12 Conference title crippled against nan Washington Huskies Dec. 1, 2023, astatine Allegiant Stadium successful Las Vegas. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NFL SAYS GUARDIAN CAPS PERMITTED IN GAMES AFTER CONCUSSIONS DECREASE IN TRAINING CAMP
The action of Nix made NFL Draft history. He was nan sixth QB taken erstwhile he was selected astatine No. 12, nan fewest number of picks utilized to draught that galore signal-callers.
It was conscionable nan 2nd clip six quarterbacks were taken successful nan first round, matching nan legendary 1983 class, but 4 of those QBs were selected from prime 14 on.
Nix began his collegiate profession astatine Auburn, wherever he played 3 seasons but ne'er really shined pinch nan Tigers. He transferred to Oregon successful 2022, and aft 13 games, he group profession highs successful yards (3,593), touchdowns (29) and completion percent (71.9).
Quarterback Bo Nix of nan Oregon Ducks walks disconnected nan section during nan first half of nan Fiesta Bowl against nan Liberty Flames astatine State Farm Stadium Jan. 1, 2024, successful Glendale, Ariz. The Ducks defeated nan Flames 45-6. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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But 2023 was easy his champion year. He collapsed retired for 4,509 yards and 45 touchdowns and a 77.4% completion rate.
Fox News' Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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