Bo Nix, Zach Wilson, Jarrett Stidham, and Broncos’ QB depth chart, defined

There was plenty of change on the quarterback place for the Denver Broncos in 2024. In got here rookie first-round choose Bo Nix and beleaguered former first-round choose Zach Wilson; out went former Tremendous Bowl champion Russell Wilson. The lone holdover, Jarrett Stidham, was the Broncos’ beginning quarterback of their remaining two video games final season.

As with every state of affairs involving a rookie quarterback, there’ll probably be discuss of a contest and all that heading into coaching camp. Nonetheless, given the Broncos future of dangerous seasons, we could also be secure to imagine Bo Nix will likely be beginning sooner relatively than later.

Will Bo Nix land on the high of the Broncos depth chart?

Right here is the place I predict the Broncos depth chart lands on Week 1 and why I believe every participant is poised to safe their respective spots on the positional depth chart.

QB1. Bo Nix

A perennial dropping workforce over the past eight season isn’t going to draft a quarterback twelfth total and have him sit for a yr. That is Bo Nix’s time to shine… or flop.

All of the rumors and studies forward of the 2024 NFL Draft appeared to middle across the Broncos being the right match for Nix, however most analysts had him because the fifth or sixth greatest quarterback within the draft. That might counsel he could be a late first or early second-round choose at greatest. Nonetheless, the run on quarterbacks within the high 10 pressured Denver’s hand. Many referred to as it a horrible attain, however think about the Broncos quarterback state of affairs proper now had they risked dropping out on Nix by enjoying the worth recreation? It might not be good to say the least.

Regardless of being the sixth quarterback taken within the draft, Nix was the No. 3 man on the Broncos’ board all alongside they usually completely love the child.

“I might say, you may really feel his 61 video games performed in school,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi stated of Nix after obligatory minicamp in mid-June. “With expertise, a calmness comes together with it. So he actually doesn’t really feel like a rookie. He’s studying a brand-new system, so whether or not you’re a veteran or a rookie coming in, that’s widespread to all these folks. He has seen loads and doesn’t make the identical mistake twice fairly often. There’s a maturity stage. I believe whenever you draft a man who’s slightly bit older, you hope that that comes with it, however he’s actually proven that.”

Given the quantity of video games Nix has performed and his age, it’s unlikely Denver drafted him to sit down for a yr. They want a beginning quarterback now.

Zach Wilson has been within the league for 3 seasons already and is simply six months older than rookie Bo Nix. It simply wouldn’t make sense for Bo Nix to not begin Week 1. If he doesn’t, then the Broncos’ draft class is in severe doubt proper out of the gate contemplating how little draft capital they’d within the first two days of this yr’s draft.

QB2. Zach Wilson

When Denver traded for Zach Wilson, I beloved the thought of bringing in a venture like him to probably salvage his profession. As a high draft picks, the pedigree is there and coaches will simply must work on bringing again the boldness.

The previous No. 2 total choose by the New York Jets has struggled to dwell as much as his draft standing with only a 57% completion fee and 6,293 yards with 23 touchdowns in opposition to 25 interceptions in his three-year profession. It didn’t assist that he was drafted by the Jets, who’ve struggled — just like the Broncos — to subject a aggressive soccer workforce in recent times.

If he might get a number of years beneath a training employees led by Sean Payton, I might see his later profession being revitalized for a man like Wilson.

QB3. Jarrett Stidham

On the finish of the day, I do assume Jarrett Stidham will probably be the higher choice because the Week 1 backup to Bo Nix. Nonetheless, as a result of his contract and Wilson’s draft pedigree, I believe he finally ends up the odd man out.

The principle purpose I believe Wilson finally ends up beating out Stidham is on the cash aspect of issues. Each he and Wilson are beneath contract only for this yr, however Wilson’s cap quantity is simply $2.7 million in comparison with Stidham’s $7 million. From a pure numbers standpoint, it could appear to be if they’re considerably shut for that backup spot that Wilson will get the nod as a result of his contract and his draft pedigree.

I like Stidham as a backup loads, and if he finally ends up beating out Wilson then I cannot be unhappy about that.

What to anticipate from a Bo Nix-led Broncos workforce in 2024

There was a purpose why many draft analysts had Bo Nix pegged as a high prospect for Sean Payton and his offensive system. The 2 gave the impression to be an ideal match for what Nix excels at and what Payton needs to do in his offense. We also needs to do not forget that Payton had a damaged Russell Wilson in prime place to problem for a playoff run late final season earlier than these wheels lastly got here off, so maybe the ceiling ought to even be raised a bit with a rookie quarterback on the helm.

As somebody who watched plenty of movie on the Broncos final yr, Wilson left plenty of large performs on the market. If Nix can start seeing only a fraction of these wide-open receivers, then this offense is poised to make a good leap ahead.

Clearly as a fan, I’ll be hoping for that final result, however there will likely be rising pains — the sort that at all times include a first-year beginning quarterback. Denver might want to keep a superb protection and a robust dashing assault for Nix to excel and lead this workforce to the playoffs this season.