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This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.
The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
Bo Nix
- Oregon
- Transfer from Auburn
- Height-6020
- Weight-217 lbs
- Fifth-year senior
- 4-Star recruit per 247 Sports
- Stats: 1258-of-1907 (66.2%), 14,989 yards, 108 touchdowns, 28 interceptions, 404 carries, 1,607 yards, 38 touchdowns
- Games watched: Texas Tech 2023, Washington 2023, USC 2023 Washington 2023 (Pac 12 Title game)
Strengths
Nix is an experienced starting quarterback. He will have started 61 games after the Pac-12 title game, an NCAA record.
When Nix has everything clean, he throws a nice deep ball with touch and good placement. The offense is set up to make things easy for Nix and he will take advantage of the deep ball.
Nix doesn’t get sacked much. He only took six sacks in 2023 with nine games where Nix took a grand total of zero sacks.
There is a dual-threat ability to Nix. He is elusive and can be a dynamic weapon on the ground. He only ran for 250 yards and six touchdowns, but his ability to elude defenders in the pocket is a massive benefit.
Accuracy is mostly positive for Nix. He completed 77.1% of his passes and gives his weapons a chance to make plays.
Weaknesses
Nix might have good stats, but the context of them isn’t. The Ducks run a Mickey Mouse offense that is designed to mask the deficiencies of the quarterback. His aDOT is a party 6.9 yards with five games under seven yards and two of them at 4.5 and 4.3. He throws a lot of screens and shallow routes in an offense designed for him not to have to go through progressions.
In fact, their YAC numbers are insanely high. Of the 4,455 receiving yards this season, the Ducks have 2,886 yards after the catch, the most in the nation. That number is 482 yards ahead of second-place UAB.
For being such a productive quarterback, Nix doesn’t do well going through his progressions. The offense is essentially playing on easy mode. Half field reads and a lot of short throws. He doesn’t see the field well or with any form of consistency. The above play is an example of an NFL throw and read he either doesn’t see or will not throw it.
Nix also doesn’t exude great footwork. He consistently throws off platform and doesn’t get a sturdy base underneath him.
Arm strength is adequate for Nix, but it’s not a positive. He doesn’t have a great zip on the ball but he is capable in the intermediate levels of the field.
Overview
| Arm Strength | 7.0/10 |
| Accuracy | 8.7/10 |
| Mechanics | 6.9/10 |
| Ball Placement | 7.8/10 |
| Throwing Motion | 7.6/10 |
| Progressions | 6.5/10 |
| Decision Making | 6.7/10 |
| Functional Mobility | 8.7/10 |
| Durability | 8.1/10 |
| Poise | 6.9/10 |
| Grade | 74.9/100 Fourth Round |
Nix has talent but he holds himself back with poor processing and inconsistent decision making. Some will have him as a first round player and, with 61 starts under his belt, see a world where Nix improves enough to be a starting quarterback in the National Football League.
