2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Bo Nix

Prospect Summary:

Some in the NFL still abide by philosophies set out by Bill Parcells in which he wanted quarterback draft-prospects to have started for three years before coming to the NFL because those players would have gone through some highs and lows while enduring the pressure of being the face of a program. Evaluators who still believe in that will like Bo Nix because he enters the next level possessing five years of starting experience from Auburn and Oregon.

At Auburn, Nix started as a freshman and flashed dual-threat ability. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,542 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Nix was improved as a sophomore, completing 60 percent of his passes for 2,415 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He then connected on 61 percent of his passes as a junior for 2,294 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Over his three seasons with the Tigers, Nix racked up 18 rushing touchdowns – seven, seven and four, respectively. He then transferred to Oregon.

The move out to Eugene was just what Nix needed ,as he showed big improvement with the Ducks. In 2022, he completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,593 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also added 14 rushing touchdowns. As a fifth-year senior in 2023, Nix was superb and dominated the Pac-12. He completed 77.4 percent of his throws in 2023 for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for six scores as well. The Ducks came up short of the playoff because of two close losses to Washington, but Nix played well in each contest.

There is a lot to like Nix for the NFL. He is an instinctive and accurate passer who throws a very catchable ball. Over his final two seasons, Nix was superb with his ball placement, showing excellent mental aptitude for the position. Alongside his impressive instincts, Nix anticipated receivers coming open and did a very good job of working through his progressions, playing with excellent vision. He recognized coverage and knew where to go with the ball. Nix did a very good job of getting the ball out quickly while not being a robot who was simply predetermining where he was going with the ball. Nix is a great fit for a West Coast offense with his ability to be accurate and throw precision passes in the short to intermediate part of the field.

On top of his improved passing ability, Nix remained dangerous on the ground. He is a good athlete in the pocket with quick feet to dodge the rush and make throws on the run. Nix is a nimble and shifty quarterback who can be tough for defenders to bring down. He is also a threat to pick up yards as a runner. While Nix is not an elite runner like a Lamar Jackson, Nix is a good athlete who displays a good burst for a quarterback along with elusive moves to dodge tacklers. In the NFL, Nix’s mobility will be an asset to pick up some first downs on third-and-manageable when nothing is open.

Nix does not have special arm talent for the NFL. His arm is adequate to push the ball vertically, but he does not have a cannon or a power arm.

A director of player personnel of an AFC team that does not need a quarterback told WalterFootball.com:

We gave him a starter grade. We think he could be a low-end starter, and at that position, that means he would go in the first …. We have Bo rated fourth, ahead of McCarthy. There is a lot to like about Bo, he just doesn’t have special arm talent. But physically he’s more talented than Baker Mayfield, Sam Howell, Brock Purdy or Kenny Pickett.

“It’s not a stretch for him to go in the top-20 or top-25,” said a NFC director of player personnel in mid-January.

In reaching out to sources at five teams, two teams said they had Nix on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft and three teams said they thought Nix would go in Round 1. He stands a good shot of being a first-round pick and has the talent to be an effective NFL starter.