Welcome to SKOL Search!
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.
We are getting a head start this year by looking at the talent projected to be available in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. Why start in the summer? It’s a good way to see how the players grow from year-to-year and we will be looking at players from a Vikings perspective.
Right now, the Vikings will have seven draft picks in the 2024 NFL draft.
- 1st round
- 2nd round
- 4th round
- 4th round (via Lions)
- 5th round (via Chiefs)
- 5th round (via Browns)
- 6th round
Background
Bo Nix
- School: Auburn
- Year Entering: 5th-year Senior
- Height: 6010
- Weight: 213
- 247Sports Recruiting Rank: Five-star (98.56 rating)
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2022 Stats:
- Passing: 72% completion, 3,593 yards, 29 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
- Rushing: 89 attempts, 510 yards, 14 touchdowns
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Notes
- Started at quarterback for Scottsboro’s varsity football team as an eighth-grader.
- Named Alabama’s Mr. Football in 2018 after winning the Alabama 6A state title at Pinson Valley.
- Transferred to Oregon from Auburn before the 2022 season.
- Led Oregon to a 10-3 record and Holiday Bowl win in 2022.
- Games Watched: 2022 Washington, 2022 Utah, 2022 Georgia
What does he do well?
Give credit where credit is due: Bo Nix is a gamer.
Nix suffered an ankle injury in Oregon’s Nov. 12 game against Washington but played through the pain to lead the Ducks to a victory against North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl.
To that same tune, it’s clear that the injury hindered Nix’s effectiveness.
Nix is best out of structure, whether bailing from pressure to make a throw or picking up yards with his legs.
Before the injury against Washington, Nix showcased his athleticism and playmaking ability by bailing out of the pocket to pick up a first down in the second quarter.
While battling the ankle injury, Nix connected with Dont’e Thornton on the run for a throw that flipped the field and got the Ducks into a prime scoring position.
Nix’s film has some moments of brilliance in the pocket too. Earlier in the game against Utah, Nix connected with Thornton for a deep pass that hit roughly 50 yards in the air. The throw was nearly perfect, falling right into Thornton’s pocket.
Where does he need improvement?
Although Bo Nix has moments of brilliance outside the pocket, his pocket management could use work.
The tape paints this weird picture of Nix’s ability in the pocket. At times, he’s delivering the right throw against man coverage, and other times he’s trying to do too much to make a play.
There might be no better example of the latter than a play against Washington, where Nix begins to bail the pocket before feeling pressure. Instead of throwing it away earlier, Nix attempts to make a play and gets into trouble, leading to a throw out of bounds for a “fumble.”
These plays may work in college, but things are different in the NFL. Throws have to go out quicker, and quarterbacks need to have their internal clocks firing on all cylinders.
In terms of mechanics, Nix has a weird hitch in his footwork that prevents him from getting his entire body involved in the throw.
To simplify the explanation, Nix tends to drop his front foot on throws, preventing him from getting all his power into the throw. As a result, Nix’s throws are often just his natural arm talent and nothing else.
Against Utah, this problem resulted in an interception when Nix attempted to throw from the opposite hash to the sideline. Nix’s front foot drops and instead of getting his entire body into the throw. Instead of a potential completion, the ball flutters resulting in an interception.
The mechanics make Nix’s play generally inconsistent. Nix looks like a top-level NFL prospect when his mechanics are up to par, but when his mechanics falter, Nix looks pedestrian.
How does he fit with the Vikings?
Bo Nix likely isn’t a first-round pick, so if the Minnesota Vikings are looking for a Day 2 quarterback to take a flier on, Nix could be the guy.
Although Nix needs work in structure to fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, his ability out of structure and in the quarterback run game could be beneficial to keep the offense constantly firing.
Where does he project to go?
Bo Nix is an interesting evaluation. After struggling at Auburn, a change of scenery benefited Nix, who was firing on all cylinders before the ankle injury.
However, Nix’s success could have been tied to Kenny Dillingham’s ability as an offensive coordinator. Dillingham kept Oregon’s offense simple, prioritizing screens and simplified reads to put less pressure on Nix. A simplified approach works in college, but it doesn’t allow quarterbacks to showcase all of their skills.
Next season will almost act as the deciding factor for Nix. Dillingham is no longer his offensive coordinator, accepting the head coach position at Arizona State, and Nix will have to build upon his strong 2022 with former UTSA play-caller Will Stein at the helm.
If Nix improves, it’s possible that he can sneak into the first round, especially with the uncertainty at the position outside of Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. However, Nix’s struggles in the SEC with Auburn are hard to forget.
Projection: Day 2 pick
