NFL Draft: College Coach Raves About One of Most Surprising Picks

At least one coach believes head coach Sean Payton and Co. made the right call.

“Both those guys were talented enough to be in that conversation, particularly with the arm talent that Penix has and how competitive and how football-savvy Nix is,” a Pac-12 defensive coordinator told ESPN. “Nix is going to a head coach [Sean Payton] that really believes in him, just like Drew Brees. It’s kind of an awkward situation for Penix, but I’m a believer in a rookie quarterback sitting and watching and observing how the vets do it.”

Whether Nix can arrive and secure the starting job this spring and summer remains to be seen, but, it is clear that Payton and the Broncos believe he has plenty of upside.

Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix NFL Draft Scouting Report

Nix lands in Denver after completing 66.4 percent of his passes across five collegiate seasons, at Auburn and the past two years in Oregon, for 15,352 yards with 113 touchdowns to 26 interceptions.

Given Payton’s track record of success developing Drew Brees into a Hall of Fame quarterback, there’s reason to be optimistic Nix can elevate the Broncos.

“He can be punctual in getting the ball out at the top of his drop,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Nix. “Or he can work through progressions and beat defenses with second-reaction plays. He throws with good velocity and puts the ball on the money when throwing on the move. Nix has shown great improvement with his pocket poise. He’s capable of moving the sticks as a scrambler or as part of the running game. Some of his gaudy production has been driven by the Oregon offense’s design, but his talent clearly stands out.”

There are few roadblocks standing in the way of Nix and emerging as the Broncos’ Week 1 starter.

Nix would only need to beat out Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson, and career backup Ben DiNucci for the starting job.

“He’s so much more confident than he was when he came in,” an NFC area scout told NFL.com “The only thing you worry about a little bit is how he will respond when he’s outside the comfort of that (Oregon) offense. Does he play with the same confidence?”

The Broncos selected