As the Denver Broncos’ 2024 draft class settles, critics continue to scrutinize Bo Nix. National media reviews of the Broncos’ draft have been largely negative, suggesting that Sean Payton and his team made a questionable decision by selecting Nix with the 12th overall pick.
Opinions will remain divided until Nix’s performance in the NFL provides more concrete evidence. Meanwhile, Broncos legend Mark Schlereth has spoken highly of Nix, highlighting his unique qualities.
“When you watch him play, he consistently delivers the ball accurately and on time. It’s important to note that you can’t be accurate if you’re not timely with your throws. Nix also demonstrates an ability to read defenses and place the ball where his receivers can catch it and make plays. These are the qualities you look for in a quarterback. I believe Nix has the quickest release and is most accurate on short to intermediate throws, which are crucial in today’s NFL,” Schlereth stated on the Schlereth & Evans Show on Denver radio.
.@markschlereth of @DenverSportsCom and @NFLonFOX likes what he sees of Bo Nix.
“When you watch him, he is on time and on target. And I’ve said this before: You cannot be on target if you’re not on time, and If you are not on time with the football, you won’t be on target.” pic.twitter.com/SWyvncKPu9
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) May 1, 2024
For as long as anyone can remember, most NFL fans have preferred the flashy, strong-armed gunslinger type of quarterback. Nix was never going to fit that mold for a team.
But that wasn’t what Payton was after. He was looking for a quarterback who could anticipate throws, getting the ball out quickly and accurately. Once you grasp that, the criticism surrounding Nix’s selection starts to fade, making the numerous low draft grades even more irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.
Schlereth’s comments provide a more realistic and balanced perspective, but only for those willing to listen. Focusing solely on arm strength is a narrow view, reminiscent of those who placed too much faith in players like Jay Cutler.
At his core, Nix is a different kind of quarterback, more suited for a specific style of offense.
“No. Jay Cutler had great arm talent. How’d that work out? Like that is—if you throw with anticipation and on time, you know what you can make up for? Lack of supreme arm talent. Brock Purdy doesn’t have supreme arm talent. There’s a lot—did Tom Brady have supreme arm talent? Did Drew Brees? Peyton Manning? I mean, Philip Rivers, did he have supreme arm talent? So, stop with the arm talent thing,” Schlereth emphasized.
Broncos fans can always count on Schlereth for telling it like it is. However, it might take a while for the wider NFL audience to fully understand why the Broncos chose Nix as their quarterback.
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