PFF Has The Same Idea for Vikings and Broncos in 2024 Draft

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It would take a run of favorable results and the Vikings doing something they’ve not looked like doing recently — winning a game — for Minnesota to play playoff football this year. It’s not impossible, but it won’t happen in all probability.

Focus can shift to the next season, with the draft being everyone’s favorite source of focus. PFF has the same idea for the Vikings and Broncos 2024 draft. It all revolves around the quarterback position.

PFF Has The Same Idea for Vikings and Broncos in 2024 Draft

The people at PFF put out their opinion for the “best fit” out of the draft for all 32 teams. They landed on the same player for the Vikings and Broncos, Oregon QB Bo Nix.

PFF Has The Same
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix celebrates after running for a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host Colorado in the Pac-12 opener Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Here’s what they said regarding pairing Nix with Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings:

The Vikings have been on the quarterback carousel since Kirk Cousins went down for the season. Cousins is set to become a free agent this offseason, so if he’s not brought back, a young quarterback becomes paramount for them. To me, Nix would be perfect with his tools, dual-threat ability, and experience to work with Kevin O’Connell.

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This writer would fully endorse bringing in a rookie quarterback like Nix, though I don’t believe it’s a case of a rookie or Cousins. The perfect world is if the Vikings manage to do both and give the young guy time to develop. However, a lot needs to happen to bring that to fruition.

Here’s what PFF had to say regarding Nix to the Broncos:

With Russell Wilson now on the bench and on his way out of Denver, the Broncos need a new quarterback. The problem is, I can’t in all good conscience put Caleb Williams or Drake Maye here knowing how much it would take to move up that high in the draft. If they stay in the middle of the first round, where they are projected to pick, Nix would be an ideal option. Nix has legit NFL arm strength in both distance and velocity, as well as added mobility with his legs. He’s also the most experienced college quarterback of all time with 60 games as a starter. He and Sean Payton could work well together.

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Jarrett Stidham led the Broncos to a win over the LA Chargers in his first start last weekend. It’s not out of the question that Sean Payton will happily roll with him at quarterback next season. If both teams have their eyes set on Nix, Minnesota is in pole position to land him, currently owning the 12th overall pick in the draft, while Denver sits at 14. The Broncos sit a game ahead of the Vikings and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, though multiple teams ending on the same record muddies the waters of the tiebreaker situation.

Is Nix the Man for Minnesota?

If Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is about to pull the trigger on a first-round quarterback, and many signs point in that direction. Is Nix the right option for the Vikings to pursue? It’s all a matter of opinion, but the top two rated QBs in the draft feel out of reach — Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.

After that, a group of four includes Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr, and J.J. McCarthy, as well as Nix.

All have strengths and weaknesses, but what makes Nix a good fit? PFF ranks Nix as the fourth-best QB in the draft (behind Daniels) and the 25th-best player overall. Nix will turn 24 before the draft and has a college career at Auburn and, later, Oregon. He is a good dual-threat athlete with a legit NFL arm — something important to O’Connell’s system, as seen by the struggles since Kirk Cousins got injured. 

draft darling for
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One notable point for Nix is his grade from PFF for passing under pressure. His score of  91.2 is considerably better than the other three QBs the Vikings might be looking at. Despite an improved season by the Vikings’ offensive line, the carousel of Minnesota quarterbacks has come under plenty of pressure, which will always happen in the NFL. The ability to perform well when pressured is a significant factor in the success of an NFL quarterback.

Will the Vikings select Nix? Will they even draft a quarterback? It will be a story that gets intense focus over the next three months after the Lions game on Sunday is out of the way.