ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — After Bo Nix, Spencer Rattler was the next quarterback on just about every team’s list come the 2024 NFL Draft back in late-April.
Nix was the No. 6 QB on most boards (he was higher on the Broncos’ list) behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix. Had Nix not been there with their No. 12 overall pick in the first round, the Broncos might have taken Rattler in Day 2 of the draft, the second or third round.
But Nix was there for the Broncos at No. 12 and Rattler as the next quarterback taken had to wait until the No. 150 selection in the fifth round by the New Orleans Saints. Rattler is waiting no more. He made his first NFL start in place of the injured Derek Carr last week – and fared pretty well in helping the Saints score 27, second-quarter points against Tampa Bay – and Rattler will start again Thursday night when the Saints host Sean Payton and the Broncos at the Superdome.
"We spent a lot of time with him," Payton, the Broncos’ and former Saints’ head coach, said about Denver’s predraft evaluation of Rattler. “I would say there were five (QBs the Broncos’ closely evaluated). "Pro Day and then we had a private workout. We were all in Phoenix, the Scottsdale-area where he’s from. Steak dinner, the whole 9 yards. Test in the morning. Throw. He did really well.
"It’s not surprising to see … There’s a calmness when he plays. And he too (like Nix) had been through the adversity early on, coming out of high school (as the nation’s No. 1 recruit) to Oklahoma and then transferring (to South Carolina). But there is a confidence when he’s on the field and you see that in the preseason and then last week. It’s not too big for him. And he’s got a live arm. We were really impressed.
"And look, not that it matters but we had him graded higher (than others) and I’m sure the Saints did as well and it got to a point where you just had to take the grade. He was impressive."
About Bo
Nix was asked about his progress through six games Tuesday. Did he make a throw or two against the Raiders and Chargers the past two weeks that maybe he didn’t make earlier in the season?
"I see the progress but I still see some that I’m leaving out there," Nix said. "I feel like I am making strides, but at the same time there’s things that you go back and watch I know I’m capable of doing. It is good to see the progress and the strides but also I’m not where I want to be, yet. The standard is still very high and still working to reach that."
Last week against the Chargers, the Broncos fell behind 23-0 after the third quarter as Nix to that point was 4 of 14 for only 27 yards with an interception. In the fourth quarter alone, the Broncos outscored the Chargers, 16-0 as Nix was 15 of 19 for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
A better offensive start figures to be vital Thursday night against a Saints defense that just surrendered 51 points to Tampa Bay.
"I know it’s not a (lack of) sense of urgency," Nix said. "I know it’s not effort, it’s not anything like that. I think we have to literally take one play at a time, make sure we’re getting first downs and move the ball at a better rate at the beginning of the game."
Roster moves
The Broncos released veteran inside linebacker Kristian Welch and waived safety Tanner McCalister on Tuesday. Welch, who was signed just before the start of the regular season, played in all six games for the Broncos this season as a backup linebacker and special teamer. McCalister played in the previous three games for the Broncos with all 54 snaps coming on special teams.
The Broncos also opened the practice window for right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) and OLB Baron Browning (foot) after they spent four weeks on injured reserve. That doesn’t mean both will be activated on the 53-man roster and play Thursday against the New Orleans Saints but it does increase the chances they will play the following week against Carolina.
Moving McCalister off the roster could also mean the Broncos are ready to activate cornerback Damarri Mathis to the 53-man window. Mathis had his practice window opened last week but he was not activated on the 53-man roster. He’s been out since suffering an ankle injury in a preseason game Aug. 25 against Arizona.
Trade deadline
The NFL trade market opened for business this week with four significant deals. The 3-3 Broncos have games at New Orleans, home against the Carolina Panthers and at the Baltimore Ravens before the NFL trade deadline (and Election Day) on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
At this point, the Broncos figure to both buyers and sellers -- entertain trading away a player in return for a decent draft pick while at the same time acquiring a player who can immediate help.
If the Broncos are 5-4 or 6-3 entering the final 48 hours of the trading period, they figure to be more buyers than sellers. If they’re 4-5, maybe their greater goal would be to stack draft picks.
