If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is probably Bo Nix.
The mock drafts continue to mock us, pinning any number of quarterbacks to the Broncos’ mane. But the most prevalent remains Oregon’s Nix. There are a number of reasons why Nix could fit as the 12th overall pick, most notably his athleticism, toughness and experience. I think he replaced Dan Fouts at Oregon, but need to double check this.
My issues with Nix are two-fold: value and projection. He is not a top-12 player in this draft even when pretzling logic because of the importance of the position. Watching Nix’s games, I struggle to see how it will consistently translate because of his so-college offense of slants, sticks and picks.
So why could this work, ending the madness of incompetence? As scouts like to say, Nix never gets bored by completions. He will take the 4-yarder on first down to stay on schedule. He will also avoid sack sabotage, which, along with goal-to-goal fizzles, drove coach Sean Payton batty about Russell Wilson.
Nix was the point guard of a quick, efficient fast break. It has left a range of comparables from a mobile Jimmy Garoppolo (ESPN’s Jordan Reid) to a taller Tua Tagovailoa (NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mina Kimes). But what if he’s just a fringe starter and trusted backup? That is the player I saw at Auburn that I struggle to unsee.
As the draft inches closer, Nix checks boxes in what Payton seeks in a quarterback. He could be the pick. And if the coach misses, he better chuck and duck. Quack, quack.
Will he be chosen because he’s the son of the chosen one? USC’s Bronny James entered the transfer portal and the NBA draft. LeBron has made it clear he would love to team up with his son. But this isn’t the Griffeys. Not even close. I would love to see Bronny play one more year in college. It would allow him to improve his game so his entrance to the NBA sets him up for success and is viewed through the lens of his accomplishments, not his last name. …
I was not concerned about Jamal Murray’s absence until his knee popped up on the Nuggets’ injury report. This bears watching as he returns to the redline intensity of the postseason. …
Friendly reminder that in a few weeks, Nikola Jokic will become only the ninth player to win three MVP awards. The others: Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Let us never get bored by Joker’s brilliance. …
So let me get this straight. A healthy Joel Embiid has never advanced out of the second round of the playoffs, but the 76ers are now going to upset the Celtics in the Eastern Conference with their star center relying on one good knee? Riiiiight. ….
There is a controversy with Shohei Ohtani’s new interpreter on whether he translated correctly the star saying he met the woman who retrieved his first Dodgers home run ball. The story is made funnier by Ambar Roman’s Twitter display name, which will never be printed in this publication. …
How can we tell women’s college hoops has passed the men’s game in popularity? Oven-mitt-required takes are now happening with regularity to the likes of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. ….
Mail Time
Rockies pitchers: Kyle Freeland 27.00 ERA and Anthony Molina 29.70 ERA. 27.00 is a lot better, right?
Fred, via email
I have never covered a Rockies opener with less optimism. Baseball is harder than calculus. And it is impossible to succeed without functional pitching. The Rockies have some intriguing hitters in their minor league system, but where are the arms? Multiple prospects are returning from injury, but draft and development remain lip service until they produce results at the big-league level.
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