The NFL Draft will begin on April 25, 2024. We take a look at Bo Nix, a highly regarded quarterback from the University of Oregon.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Draft scouting reports.
Bo Nix was a five-star prospect in the class of 2019, ranked 33rd in the nation, and was the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country. He won SEC Freshman of the Year at Auburn University in 2019 while setting freshman records at the school with 217 completions, 2,542 passing yards, and 16 touchdowns. After starting in three seasons for the Tigers and missing the majority of 2021 with a broken ankle, Nix left the SEC, transferring to the University of Oregon.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Name: Bo Nix
Jersey: No. 10
Position: Quarterback
School: Oregon
Class: Fifth-Year Senior
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 217 lbs.
Strengths
Bo Nix’s biggest strength as a player is his accuracy. On film, he consistently places the ball exactly where it needs to be, regardless of the area. If the read on the play is there, he can calmly and accurately deliver the ball and move the team downfield similar to your best pocket passers from the mid-2000s.
Nix also has an above-average ability to throw on the run. Bootlegs, sprint-out passes, and out-of-structure pure roll-out throws are delivered with the same (if not better) accuracy. In addition to his accuracy, he adds an extra element to the offense with his legs. He can get out and truly beat defenses with his rushing ability if options are taken away downfield.
Another strength Nix possesses is his ability to know when to run or stand in the pocket and wait for things to develop. Some quarterbacks can get into the habit of making one read and taking off, but Nix uses his athleticism only when necessary.
Weaknesses
A weakness that came up very often on Nix’s film was his footwork when attempting to throw deep downfield. He often released the ball in mid-air, causing the throws to be all arm, literally. He has arm strength, but the mechanics cause downfield throws to be erratic and attempted less by Oregon’s offensive coordinator, Will Stein.
Nix can also be severely affected by pressure. He has been able to operate without worrying about this due to the competition Oregon faced, but once he’s heated up, his play is accelerated and doesn’t slow back down. He will bail on clean pockets and evade for the “Patrick Mahomes” play, running backward from the line of scrimmage into more trouble. We’ve learned from Zach Wilson and a number of others that this skill that Mahomes has mastered is very difficult to replicate. Furthermore, when players develop this tendency, it’s difficult to coach out of their games.
The last of Nix’s few weaknesses is his velocity. The arm strength is there, but he doesn’t possess the high velocity seen every Sunday from your above-average NFL starters. This may develop with time, but at the moment, Nix would need to stay within the short to intermediate range, avoiding the far hash throws in the NFL.
Pro Comparison: Baker Mayfield
A combination of height, weight, athleticism, throwing motion, and their abilities to make plays out of structure drove this comparison between Mayfield and Nix. Mayfield didn’t live up to the expectations that were laid in front of him as the No. 1 overall pick, but Nix could be close to what we saw out of Mayfield when he was firing on all cylinders in 2020.
Draft Projection: Mid to Late First Round
A very good fit for Nix would be the Atlanta Falcons, assuming Arthur Smith remains the head coach. Nix’s strengths of accuracy and making pinpoint throws on play-action passes and roll-outs match well with the scheme in place under Smith. The Falcons have not had a true franchise quarterback for Smith’s tenure, and the Desmond Ridder project isn’t panning out. Nix’s playing style would be the high-end option that Smith and co. were looking for in their current signal-caller. Other teams that may make a play at Nix are Las Vegas, Tampa Bay, and Minnesota.
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