Joel Klatt considers which QB prospect fits best with Sean Payton, Broncos

The Broncos select at No. 12 in April’s NFL Draft. Analyst and former quarterback Joel Klatt says this is when the activity really begins.

What will Sean Payton do? He’s got a season under his coaching belt as he heads into this year’s festivities. So Payton has a feel for what his team needs to work his system. There’s no question the Broncos need to address the quarterback spot since the Russell Wilson experience appears to be over. Plus, where Wilson goes is another NFL storyline this off-season.

The Broncos are in luck in that this year’s quarterback class, especially at the top, is quite deep. There’s speculation that there could be six quarterbacks selected in the first round. If so, it would tie the NFL record set back in 1983, when Payton was finishing his senior year in high school. It seems certain that at least three of the quarterbacks will be gone within the top five. Those three are Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.

So what does Payton do with the pick?

“Denver may, although they don’t have a lot of ammunition to do so, want to jump up,” Klatt said this week on his podcast. “Like if all of a sudden Sean Payton just falls in love with Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye. It’s just like, I gotta have it.”

Klatt added that the Broncos may try to trade up, but they don’t have a second round pick to package in a deal. But as Klatt stressed, Denver needs a quarterback. And because of the salary cap “they’ve got to get cheap at that position. To me, Denver’s going quarterback.”

Klatt said that Payton prefers a quarterback who can work as a point guard. The coach also doesn’t like to devote more than five in pass protection. So he wants someone who can read quickly and complete a high percentage of passes.

So who might be the perfect choice for the Broncos? Think a certain quarterback from Oregon who spent some time at Auburn.

Yes, it’s Bo Nix.

“Now, are they going to stay at 12?” Klatt asked. “Do they need to move up? I’m not sure, maybe they can move back a little bit and get Bo Nix. But without a second round draft pick, they’ve got to address that now. Okay. I think a lot of these quarterbacks that we value highly are going to get selected in the first round. It’s a great quarterback draft.”

Klatt said the marriage between Payton and Wilson is over. But he sees a new Broncos relationship with Nix working perfectly.