Colin Cowherd Boldly Predicts QB Will Outshine Entire 2024 NFL Draft Class

If you've watched Colin Cowherd long enough, you know that the often time quirky sports broadcaster has his own set of hot takes, unique to his personality. On Sunday night, during an episode of his podcast, he delivered his latest, and many might soon agree with him.

After watching the Denver Broncos rout the Green Bay Packers 27-2 in preseason action, Cowherd shared his belief that Bo Nix will be the best quarterback out of this year’s NFL Draft class. Specifically, Cowherd appeared to be comparing Nix to all the first-round quarterbacks, including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., and J.J. McCarthy.

"Here’s a take," Cowherd said. "Bo Nix has a better arm than I think people realize. I think he’s more cut and athletic than people think. I noticed this when I saw him live on the field against Utah."

Cowherd was referring to the game where Oregon traveled to Utah last season, beating the Utes 35-6. Nix went 24-for-31 with 248 yards and two touchdowns.

Cowherd also gave solid reasoning for his belief in Nix’s NFL potential. He credited Nix’s landing with Sean Payton, who is considered one of the best offensive minds in the game, compared to other quarterbacks like Williams and Daniels, who were drafted by defensive coaches like the Chicago Bears' Matt Eberflus and the Washington Commanders' Dan Quinn. Additionally, McCarthy won't play due to a season-ending injury, and Penix likely won't see much playing time unless Kirk Cousins gets hurt.

Nix was the last quarterback taken in the first round, going No. 12 overall to the Broncos. Some believed that was a reach, but in just two preseason games, Nix is beginning to look like one of the best picks of this year’s draft, making for a massive upgrade to what was the NFL's worst quarterback room.

Nix has gone 23-for-30 (69%) with 205 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in his two NFL preseason games. Sunday night against the Packers he was 8-for-9 with 80 yards and a touchdown. At 24, Nix enters the league with a wealth of experience, having played five years in college. In his last two seasons at Oregon, he averaged nearly 75% completion for 8,101 yards, 74 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions.

Though Payton has yet to name a starting quarterback for the season, with one preseason game remaining, Nix has one more audition to earn the job—if his performance against the Packers didn’t already seal the deal.