Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton compares first-round pick to this division rival

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 4/25/24

The Denver Broncos weren’t deterred when they saw five quarterbacks get drafted over the first 10 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. They apparently still were able to get their guy.

The Broncos drafted Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick in Thursday’s draft. That made it six quarterbacks taken over the first 12 picks. Even though the Broncos had missed out on Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy, they still apparently got their guy.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the Broncos loved Nix and were impressed by his ability to pick up their offense so quickly.

Denver held a private workout with Bo Nix the day after his pro day. The night before the workout, the Broncos sent Nix three packets of offensive play installation. And the next morning, as they worked in the classroom with Nix, he “crushed it”, per a Broncos source.

The…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2024

Schefter further says Broncos head coach Sean Payton feels as strongly about Nix as he did about Patrick Mahomes.

Sean Payton wanted and intended to draft Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 draft, when he held the 11thoverall pick. He was ready to turn in the card. But before he could, the Chiefs traded up to the Bills’ spot at No. 10 and took Mahomes one spot before Payton got him, leaving the… https://t.co/GdsRSCqryx

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2024

Payton was with the New Orleans Saints in 2017 when they were picking 11th. The team supposedly was prepared to take Mahomes at No. 11, but the Chiefs traded up to take the quarterback at No. 10. New Orleans ended up selecting Marshon Lattimore instead.

A lot of pundits had Nix as the sixth-ranked quarterback in the class. It sounds like Payton views Nix as the best.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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