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

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

As with any state of affairs involving a rookie quarterback, there’ll doubtless be speak of a contest and all that heading into coaching camp. However, given the Broncos long term of unhealthy seasons, we could also be secure to imagine Bo Nix will likely be beginning sooner relatively than later.

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

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 crew during the last eight season isn’t going to draft a quarterback twelfth total and have him sit for a yr. This is Bo Nix’s time to shine… or flop.

All the rumors and stories 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 would counsel he could be a late first or early second-round decide at greatest. However, the run on quarterbacks within the prime 10 compelled Denver’s hand. Many known 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 wouldn’t be good to say the least.

Despite being the sixth quarterback taken within the draft, Nix was the No. 3 guy on the Broncos’ board all alongside and so they completely love the child.

“I’d say, you possibly can really feel his 61 video games performed in faculty,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said of Nix after necessary 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 lots and doesn’t make the identical mistake twice fairly often. There is a maturity stage. I believe while you draft a man who’s a bit 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 critical doubt proper out of the gate contemplating how little draft capital that they had within the first two days of this yr’s draft.

QB2. Zach Wilson

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

The former No. 2 total decide by the New York Jets has struggled to dwell as much as his draft standing with only a 57% completion price 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 crew in recent times.

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

QB3. Jarrett Stidham

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

The most important purpose I believe Wilson finally ends up beating out Stidham is on the cash aspect of issues. Both 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 might look like 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 lots, and if he finally ends up beating out Wilson then I can’t be unhappy about that.

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

There was a purpose why many draft analysts had Bo Nix pegged as a prime prospect for Sean Payton and his offensive system. The two appeared to be an ideal match for what Nix excels at and what Payton needs to do in his offense. We also needs to keep in mind 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 quite a lot of movie on the Broncos final yr, Wilson left quite a lot 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.

Obviously as a fan, I’ll be hoping for that consequence, however there will likely be rising pains — the type that all the time include a first-year beginning quarterback. Denver might want to keep a superb protection and a powerful speeding assault for Nix to excel and lead this crew to the playoffs this season.