Broncos can gain intel on Oregon draft prospects from Bo Nix
After using their first-round pick to select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in last year's NFL draft, the Broncos later added his teammate in the fourth round, bringing in Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin.
It's possible that Denver could reunite Nix with more ex-college teammates this spring as Oregon has several draft prospects in this year's class.
Perhaps most notable among them from a Broncos perspective is tight end Terrance Ferguson, a Denver native. Other Ducks who could interest the Broncos include wide receiver Tez Johnson and running back Jordan James. Denver met with all three at the NFL combine, and Nix can provide feedback during the scouting process.
“It would be very common for us in a draft meeting — and let’s say it’s Oregon — and we will be looking at a player and I may shoot a text to one of those guys to ask, ‘Tell me what you guys think,'" coach Sean Payton said at the NFL combine. "Maybe there is a call just while we are watching the film. If we are looking at a TCU player, I’m texting my son, who worked there as a student assistant. If we are looking at a Penn State [player], etcetera. That would be very common. Then the follow up in the locker room more specifically or talk to me more. Then it continues. You are gathering as much information as you can to help be as accurate as you can on the decision-making process.
"[Last year], we were there at the [Oregon] pro day, but the next day was the private workout. You have to pay close attention. It was interesting to see how many of [Nix's] teammates — they had just finished working out Friday, and here it was Saturday morning and here is another 10. You just pay attention to all of it. The young running back is tugging on my coat tails throughout the day and saying, ‘I got to know Alvin Kamara.’ He’s a good football player, and he and I were chatting. Six months later, you are defending him and he’s a pain in your rear. [I’m] talking about Bucky [Irving]. It says a lot about the player though at his own day when so many guys showed up.”
Johnson was taken in by Nix's family when he was 15 years old, and he considers the quarterback his brother. Some Broncos fans have fallen in love with Johnson as a prospect, but his small frame (5-9, 156 pounds) might cause him to fall in the draft.
“Relative to that, you do all your research," Payton said when asked abut Johnson's size. "He’s played with a chip on his shoulder his entire career, and that is a credit to him. You evaluate the player and you look at the vision and try to come up with the vision. Then you discuss who he is like and then you go from there.”
The Broncos currently hold seven draft picks. We'll find out next month if Payton and Co. are able to add any more former Ducks to the squad.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL draft: Bo Nix can give Broncos intel on Oregon prospects
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