SAN FRANCISCO — Bo Nix drew plenty of Drew Brees comparisons leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Some of those may have been rooted in the general belief that Sean Payton and the Broncos would be left with Nix when their turn came in the draft, although some were rooted in Nix’s accuracy.
It was one thing to hear the Brees parallels before the draft.
To hear them after two years of data and film? Now, they have some heft.
Thus, when NBC Sports’ Chris Simms tossed out the name of the newly-announced Hall of Fame enshrined when asked about Nix’s ceiling, it raised an eyebrow.
“It’s Drew Brees-ish. That’s really what it is,” Simms said.
“He’s Drew, but maybe even a little bit better arm, and maybe even a little bit better athlete.”
IN SIMMS’ EYES, THE KEY FOR NIX IS BETTER SUPPORT
And it’s not just about a supporting cast in terms of personnel. Garett Bolles referenced the need for “playmakers” when he answered questions one day after the Broncos’ AFC Championship Game loss, and any discussion about team needs will revolve around looking for some more explosiveness from its cadre of skill-position players.
But to Simms, the change from Joe Lombardi to Davis Webb at offensive coordinator will be impactful, too.
“And now if they can get some weapons there with him — and I do think Davis Webb with Sean Payton will be a better formula than what they previously had — I just think now they’re going to be able to grow the offense and now add some pieces on that offensive side of the ball to where when he throws a 10-yard throw, somebody can break a tackle and break it for 40 or 50 (yards),” Simms said.
The one player on offense who can do that on a regular basis is Marvin Mims Jr., but he was an infrequent target until the postseason. Injuries to Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant gave him more opportunities against the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots, and he responded by leading the Broncos in yards from scrimmage with 155 over those two games.
Among 83 receivers with at least 30 catches in 2025, Mims ranked six in average yards after the catch, with 6.2.
The Broncos will no doubt scour the free-agent, draft and potential trade market as they look for an injection of play-making punch into their skill-position lineup. But Mims’ presence shows that some of the solution may come from inside the house.
