The Atlanta Falcons head to Denver this Sunday to face the Broncos, one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season. Many expected Denver to be in the running for a top draft pick by now, yet they’re well-positioned for a playoff push in a competitive AFC. This success is largely due to a standout defense and the impressive play of rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who has been the second-best rookie QB in his class, trailing only the electric Jayden Daniels.
Nix’s stats may not be extraordinary, but he’s been efficient: he’s completed over 63% of his passes for just under 2,000 yards, with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. Additionally, he’s compiled 290 rushing yards, scored four rushing touchdowns, and even recorded a receiving touchdown. That’s winning football from a player many saw as a developmental prospect coming into the season.
Bo Nix was selected 12th overall in this year’s NFL Draft, just four picks after the Falcons chose Michael Penix Jr. at eight. In an alternate universe, Nix could easily have been the one waiting behind Kirk Cousins in Atlanta.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup, Falcons offensive coordinator shared with Josh Kendall of The Athletic that the team sent a “big group” to Oregon during the pre-draft process to meet with Nix, leaving highly impressed by his football IQ and athleticism.
https://twitter.com/JoshTheAthletic/status/1856767254450393468
The reaction to the Falcons’ decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. 8th overall, shortly after giving Kirk Cousins a $180 million contract, was already unfair. Atlanta was the butt of jokes across the national media, but imagine the outcry if they’d chosen Bo Nix instead—it would have been atomic, and I would have been leading the charge.
In hindsight, the Falcons could have done much worse. While Nix isn’t setting records through 10 weeks, he’s playing exceptionally well for a rookie in an offense with limited weapons. The Broncos appear to have found their next franchise quarterback, making Nix the right pick, regardless of where he was selected.
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Photo: Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire
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