Broncos Make History with Six Quarterbacks Drafted in First Round

The Denver Broncos made NFL Draft history on Thursday night, selecting Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick, making it the sixth quarterback taken in the first round, the fewest number of picks by which that many signal-callers have ever been selected.

The NFL Draft has seen some intriguing developments in recent years, and Thursday night's first round was no different. The Denver Broncos made history by selecting Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick, making it the sixth quarterback taken in the first round. This marks the lowest number of picks by which six signal-callers have ever been selected in NFL Draft history.

The Broncos' selection of Nix comes as a surprise to many, given that they traded for Russell Wilson two seasons ago. However, Denver released Wilson this offseason, leaving a void at the quarterback position. Nix, who played three seasons at Auburn before transferring to Oregon in 2022, has shown promise in his collegiate career. In 2023, he broke out for 4,509 yards with 45 touchdowns and a 77.4% completion rate, showcasing his potential as a passer.

The Broncos now have a crowded quarterback room, with Nix joining Jarrett Stidham, Ben DiNucci, and Zach Wilson, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets earlier this week. Head coach Sean Payton will have the task of evaluating these quarterbacks and determining who will lead the team going forward.

Nix will need to prove himself in training camp and preseason to earn the starting role. He has shown flashes of brilliance in college, but he will need to adapt to Payton's system and prove that he can be a consistent performer at the NFL level.

The Broncos have a talented roster on both sides of the ball, but their success will largely depend on the play of Nix. If he can live up to his potential and lead the offense effectively, Denver could be a contender in the AFC West.

Another surprising pick in the first round was Michael Penix Jr., who was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 8 overall pick. Penix, who played college football at Indiana, is considered one of the most dynamic passers in the draft.

The Falcons' selection of Penix raises questions about the future of Marcus Mariota, who signed a two-year contract with the team this offseason. Penix is expected to compete for the starting job in Atlanta, and if he impresses in training camp, he could supplant Mariota as the Falcons' quarterback of the future.

The 2023 NFL Draft has been full of surprises, and the quarterback position has been a major focus. With six signal-callers taken in the first round, the future of the position looks bright. Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. will be two of the most closely watched quarterbacks in the NFL next season, and their performances will have a major impact on the success of their respective teams.