The Vikings’ Case for Bo Nix
When the Minnesota Vikings begin the 2024 NFL Draft, they’ll look for impact players at more than a few positions. Without question, the most important of those is quarterback. Oregon’s Bo Nix could represent a perfect fit for the franchise in a multitude of ways.
The Vikings’ Case for Bo Nix
Coming out of college, Bo Nix is the most experienced amateur player in history. Starting his career with Auburn before transferring to the Ducks, he was a three-year starter for the Tigers before leading Dan Lanning’s program in Eugene. It was a fresh start with Oregon that took his game to new heights, and he had the program within sniffing distance of a College Football Playoff Berth in his second season.
Showing a significant advancement in his development, Nix went from a near-60% completion percentage at Auburn to 71% in year one with Oregon and a ridiculous 77.4% completion percentage in year two. In 2023, he surpassed Mac Jones’ all-time single-season collegiate completion percentage record. That also came with a staggering 45/3 TD/INT ratio, and he added another six scores on the ground with 234 rushing yards.
To call Nix a mobile quarterback would be short-selling his arm talent. He is not a scrambler in the sense of Josh Allen, but he can move along the lines of Patrick Mahomes. He reads defenses well and is generally intelligent with the football. He will take time to acclimate at the next level, but expecting him to play in year one isn’t a monumental ask.
What Nix provides on his own to the Vikings is one thing, but his selection would also create opportunity for the franchise in the form of additional talent. He isn’t going to be taken with the 11th overall pick, and despite early mock drafts putting him in the first round, he has now slid more toward the second. The Vikings draft 42nd overall, and he should be within sniffing distance there. With J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. as potential second-round picks, it’s no lock that Nix is the first off the board.
Utilizing the 11th overall pick to increase draft capital could also interest general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Minnesota has more than one position needing day-one starters. Trading down in the first round, grabbing an additional second, and something in the third (where Minnesota currently has no pick) should be appealing. Needing to hit on those players remains part of the equation, but the front office has multiple opportunities.
Beyond draft picks and players, there’s also the compensation. Taking a quarterback destined to start on a rookie deal avoids the current merry-go-round the Vikings have experienced with Kirk Cousins. If he’s looking for yet another payday rather than showing a desire to surround himself with the best team, then Minnesota can pivot to a situation where they have cap space to add. A rookie-level deal, especially in the second round, will create space for veterans to be paid and free agents to be acquired.
The Vikings can mortgage the cap on Cousins if they choose. They could mortgage the farm on Jayden Daniels if that fits their fancy. Otherwise, they could try to thread the needle between both instances and take Bo Nix while building something of a cohesive unit and developing him into a top-15 passer.
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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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