Tag: Broncos Wire

Bo Nix says it would be an honor to play for Broncos coach Sean Payton

“I’m never going to argue if I get to play for one of the better coaches of all time,” Bo Nix said of potentially playing for Sean Payton.

The NFL draft will begin on Thursday, April 25, and the uncertainty of who some teams will draft looms large. Although the Denver Broncos just traded for Zach Wilson via the New York Jets, could head coach Sean Payton also aim for Bo Nix?

If so, the NCAA’s single-season completion percentage leader appears to be attractive to the possibility. The former University of Oregon quarterback appeared on the Up And Adams show this week and said “it’d be an honor” to play for Sean Payton and the Broncos, alluding to the HC’s legacy with legendary quarterbacks like Drew Brees.

“I’m never going to argue if I get to play for one of the better coaches of all time,” Nix told Adams.

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While Wilson could become Payton’s next rehabilitation project, Nix knows his pedigree from college would make him an intriguing target. We will find out on Thursday evening if Nix joins Wilson in Denver.

Check out the clip of Nix and his comments on Payton below.

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Check out these highlights of new Broncos QB Zach Wilson

Zach Wilson has an impressive arm. Here are some of his top plays in the NFL so far.

Zach Wilson is the new quarterback for the Denver Broncos as of Monday. The former first-round pick from the 2021 NFL draft received his trade papers from the New York Jets, and unless the Broncos draft a quarterback, Wilson might have a legitimate chance to start in Denver.

Wilson’s three years with the Jets were tumultuous — he finished 11-21 as a starter, had knee surgery in 2022, and got benched twice that season. Then Aaron Rodgers arrived, but Wilson got his job back after Rodgers went down with an injury.

With the Broncos, though, Wilson will get another chance to become a starter and a productive player in this league. And with Broncos head coach Sean Payton in tow, Wilson has a chance to prove NFL pundits and fans wrong.
To prepare for the arrival of Wilson, check out some of his top highlights from his time with the New York Jets.

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Tom Pelissero reacts to Broncos trading for QB Zach Wilson

“If anybody can get the most of out Zach Wilson, it’s going to be Sean Payton,” Tom Pelissero said of the Broncos landing QB Zach Wilson.

The Broncos have a new starting quarterback in Zach Wilson. Or do they?
Denver agreed to trade for Wilson, the Jets’ former first-round pick, on Monday. New York didn’t come away with much: they received a sixth-round selection (No. 203) in this week’s NFL draft from the Broncos, who, in addition to Wilson, will get a seventh-round pick (No. 256) from the Jets.

After news of the trade broke, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network joined Colin Cowherd’s FS1 show, The Herd, and gave his thoughts on Wilson now donning the navy and orange. He believes that if there is one coach who can maximize Wilson’s talents, it’s Broncos headman Sean Payton.

With Wilson solidified as a potential option, should the Broncos still pursue a quarterback in this year’s draft? Bo Nix and Michael Penix are the names that come up and could be solid options if the Broncos choose to go that way. Nevertheless, we will see what Payton and the front office do this Thursday.

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2024 NFL mock draft: Broncos trade for QB Dak Prescott

Touchdown Wire’s latest NFL mock draft has the Cowboys trading quarterback Dak Prescott to the Broncos.

In Touchdown Wire’s latest NFL mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys trade their star quarterback, Dak Prescott, to the Denver Broncos for their 12th pick, allowing the Broncos to have a franchise QB and draft edge rusher Dallas Turner with the 24th pick.

“So. Now that the Broncos have Dak Prescott under center, it’s time for general manager George Paton to address another roster issue, and that’s the lack of edge talent at the highest level,” Doug Farrar and Jeff Risdon wrote on Touchdown Wire. “Taking Dallas Turner with the 24th pick would certainly solve that problem to a degree.”

Farrar and Risdon believe that he could be a great asset to the Bronco’s defense due to Turner’s production last season as a part of the Alabama defensive front. A comparison to Brian Burns would make Denver head coach Sean Payton smile.

“Last season, Turner had 11 sacks and 53 total pressures for the Crimson Tide, and he projects well as an ideal speed-rusher with the quickness and bend to beat tackles around the arc in multiple ways. At his peak, I would compare Turner to Brian Burns (formerly of the Carolina Panthers, now with the New York Giants) as that super-flexible speed end who can just blow things up in the passing game.”

Although this is hypothetical, the above scenario is plausible. We’ll find out what draft days holds on Thursday.

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Broncos select pass rusher Laiatu Latu in 2024 NFL mock draft

Peter Schrager’s first-round NFL mock draft has the Broncos selecting UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu at No. 12.

In his first 2024 NFL mock draft, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager has the Denver Broncos selecting UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu with the 12th overall pick.

Schrager has quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy going off the board with the first four picks. With none of the top QBs available, the Broncos pick Latu.

“Viewed by many as the best pure pass rusher in the draft, Latu absolutely could end up in Denver if the board falls this way,” Schrager wrote on NFL.com. “The Broncos would, of course, love to move up and get a top-four quarterback, but I just don’t think they have the ammunition. They’d have to really love Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. to take either at No. 12 overall. (Like really, REALLY love.) So Latu’s the prediction here.”

While many would state that the Broncos should draft a QB, continuing to load up on defense isn’t a bad idea. Latu’s 13 sacks last season with UCLA proved that he can provide the need to get to the quarterback. The Broncos’ defense slipped last season: their rush defense finished 30th, and their total defense was 29th. Using a first-round pick to retool the defense can help it get back to the level it was at in 2022 if it works out.

Nix gets picked at No. 23, for what it’s worth, but Penix falls out of the first round in Schrager’s mock.

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Ray Lewis declares Peyton Manning the GOAT over Tom Brady

Ray Lewis said Peyton Manning is the GOAT, picking him over Tom Brady. “He made me alter my game,” Lewis said of No. 18.

The Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady debate was a typical conversation from the 2000s through the midway point of the 2010s. Although Brady won the head-to-head matchup (11-6), Manning surpassed Brady in MVPs (5-3) while Brady far surpasses him in Super Bowls (seven to two).

Manning went 3-2 against Brady in the playoffs, including two AFC Championship games with the Denver Broncos.

In a recent interview with Rob Lepelstat of STAT Sports, former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis declared Manning the GOAT (greatest of all time) at quarterback, choosing him over Brady.

“From a quarterback, and from student level of the game, he made me alter my game,” Lewis said of Manning. “He made me watch more film. And that’s what I call the greatest QB.”

Lewis, a Hall of Famer, faced both QBs throughout his career, but Manning’s well-known study habits and physical talent made him a nightmare for defenses and defensive coordinators. While Brady surpasses Manning in total stats and championships, it’s hard to knock Lewis and his take on why Manning is the greatest of all time.

Check out the full clip in the below video.

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Broncos select pass rusher Laiatu Latu in 2024 NFL mock draft

Draft Wire’s recent three-round NFL mock draft has the Broncos selecting UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu at No. 12.

With the NFL draft season entering the home stretch, ridiculous takes are flying in to pass the time. Luckily, some draft boards are continuing to remain consistent.

In his recent NFL mock draft, Jeff Risdon of Draft Wire has the Broncos selecting UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu. 

“Latu instantly becomes the best pass rusher on the roster with his craftiness and technical savvy, plus his pretty impressive athletic prowess,” Risdon wrote on Draft Wire. 

While Denver’s pass rush does need help, it’s worth noting that this is one of the most talented quarterback draft classes in recent memory. Some quarterbacks who Risdon has teams selecting before Denver’s 12th pick: Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears at No. 1, Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders at No. 2 and J.J. McCarthy to the New England Patriots at No. 3. 

Notable quarterbacks selected after Risdon’s belief that the Broncos will select Latu are Bo Nix to the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 44) and Michael Penix Jr. (No. 47) to the New York Giants in the second round.

Fans in Denver want a QB, but Latu is still a solid pick. At 6-5, 265 pounds, his size enabled him to lead the nation in tackles for loss average (1.8 per game) while also nabbing 13 sacks for the 2023 season. Adding another talented defensive playmaker would only elevate the Broncos’ defense.

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Sean Payton comments on risks of evaluating QBs in the NFL draft

Sean Payton said measuring how quickly a prospect can process information is a big factor when evaluating QBs ahead of the NFL draft.

Speaking at the NFL combine earlier this offseason, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about common mistakes teams can make when evaluating quarterbacks entering the NFL draft.

NFL teams can either hit on a top draft pick (C.J. Stroud) hit on a sleeper pick (Patrick Mahomes) or completely miss (Trey Lance). Payton detailed the risks in evaluating and drafting the right quarterback.

“I think there’s risk, obviously,” Payton said on Feb. 27. “There’s no certainty or else we’d be fantastic with the draft. There are certain risks. I think how quickly they can process the information. For some when you get them in rookie minicamp, you realize, ‘Ah, I’ve been with a rookie before and just feel like this is not how I wanted it to go.’ He’s having trouble spitting out the plays and maybe it takes a while. Maybe that’s something that you realize is going to be a hindrance or set him back.

“I think we shouldn’t miss on accuracy because we get to see it. We shouldn’t miss on stature because we get to feel it and look at it and measure it. We shouldn’t miss on athleticism. All of those traits should be easier to be correct on, but the more difficult ones — leadership we shouldn’t miss on because we should feel that and be able to research that. It’s that other element and it’s really the difference of just that. For some, it’s two thumb thick and for others it’s one. You just hope it’s one.”

There are some things that are hard to measure, like a QB’s ability to digest information and get in and out of the huddle quickly. That’s why the Broncos give QBs an overload of information to study for their pre-draft visits to see how the prospects handle it. That can help Denver make an informed evaluation of a QB.

No process is perfect, though, and there’s always risk involved with drafting a QB. Payton will aim to get it right when the Broncos go on the clock later this month. Denver currently holds the 12th overall pick in the first round.

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Spencer Rattler says he had to prep the most for meeting with Broncos

“It was a pretty cool thing, but [I] definitely had to study up on that,” Spencer Rattler said of prepping for his visit with the Broncos.

Former University of South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler is gearing up for his NFL future, and press runs are coming along the way.

During an appearance on the Up & Adams show last week, Rattler was asked which pre-draft visit he had to study for the most, and he stated that the Denver Broncos gave him the most homework ahead of their meeting with the QB. 

“Probably Denver, you know, with their QB quiz and what they do for the install,” Rattler told Kay Adams. “It was a pretty cool thing, but [I] definitely had to study up on that, but did a great job with that.”

Could Rattler be an ideal candidate for head coach Sean Payton? Well, he has the pedigree. Before losing his job to Caleb Williams at Oklahoma in 2021, he started for two seasons, playing under current University of Southern California head coach Lincoln Riley, widely regarded as the top quarterback development coach in college football.

Rattler spent the last two seasons at South Carolina, throwing for 6,212 yards and 37 touchdowns. He is now projected to be a third-round pick.

Rattler’s career completion percentage of 68.5% in college might be enticing to Payton and the Broncos. The draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27. Rattler will be a name to watch. 

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Multiple mock drafts have Broncos drafting quarterback Bo Nix

Draft expects view Bo Nix as the most likely pick for the Broncos at No. 12. Would you be in favor Denver drafting Nix?

Curt Popejoy’s mock last month had the Denver Broncos selecting Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick.

Following the departure of Russell Wilson last month, Denver and head coach Sean Payton could look into this year’s draft to find their ideal QB. Popejoy believes Nix could be the one.

“[T]he Broncos cannot afford to pass on a quarterback. This could be a spot for them to trade back but still hope to land Bo Nix,” Popejoy wrote on Draft Wire. 

More recently, ESPN’s Field Yates also released a two-round mock with Denver landing on Nix at No. 12. 

“Nix’s accuracy and processing speed would appeal to coach Sean Payton, as he finished his college career by completing 77.4% of his passes in 2023 — an FBS single-season record,” Yates wrote on ESPN.com. “His tape was impressive to watch.”

The NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25th through the 27th. If Nix is the Broncos’ pick, then he may be the quarterback needed to run Payton’s offense and propel the team back to playoff contention.

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