The Denver Broncos would not have been able to trade down, as many suggested they do, in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and still gotten Bo Nix. At least, that is according to NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter.
While appearing on Orange and Blue Today with Cecil Lammey and Andrew Mason, Reuter said another team — most likely the Los Angeles Rams — would have drafted Nix with the No. 19 overall pick.
Trading down wasn’t an option for the Broncos to get Bo Nix, @chad_reuter of @NFLMedia draft analyst tells @CecilLammey and me:
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) May 2, 2024
"The Rams were taking Nix at 19. Absolutely, if he was available,” Reuter says.
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It was easy to criticize the pick when it was made, but when the Broncos saw five quarterbacks drafted in the first 10 picks on Thursday night, they were really left with no choice. Gambling and not getting Nix would have had the Broncos selecting either Spencer Rattler or waiting until next year and perhaps getting someone like Shedeur Sanders.
The Broncos have a lot riding on the selection of Nix. Sean Payton has his future with the Broncos riding on the pick. But as the days pass since the first round of the draft was completed, and more news trickles in like this, it is starting to make much more sense why the Broncos made this pick.