NFL Rookie QB Musings, Week 7: Bo Nix shows dual threat ability; Drake Maye ready to roll

Bo Nix showed off his dual-threat ability in prime time.

In a 31-10 beat down of the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football, the Denver Broncos rookie quarterback continued to show off attributes to his game that made him a first round pick. Coming into the league, Nix was known for his accuracy in the pocket, but his legs and ability to extend plays is making the Broncos’ offense that much more dynamic,

In all, Nix threw for 164 yards in helping Sean Payton get a win in his return to New Orleans, but his 75 yards rushing which included this 32-yard run out of the pocket setting up a Javonte Williams touchdown.

It was a play that had teammates like tight Adam Trautman gushing about what the QB brings to the offense.

“It’s a whole other dimension to his game that he’s been able to showcase, and it’s helped a lot,” Trautman said following the game.  “We had a couple designed runs.”

Through 7 games, Nix is second on the team in rushing behind Williams with 255 total yards and is becoming a real threat in the run game.  Kind of like Tim Tebow was back during his days under center for the Broncos.  The difference here is that Nix can orchestrate within the pocket with passing proficiency and accuracy.  He may not be on the level of fellow rookies Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams as far as that dual-threat ability, but he has been and showed on Thursday night that he is effective and more athletic than people think, even Trautman.

“Yeah, I’ll be honest:  I had no idea when we drafted him [that] he could run like he can,’ Trautman added.

Patriots rookie Drake Maye ready for second start

Drake Maye showed off his wheels in his NFL debut.  Despite the 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft showed flashes of the franchise quarterback the Patriots hope they have.

Along with throwing 3 touchdown passes, Maye did extend plays with his legs which like Nix adds a new dimension to the offense.  In preparing for his second start against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Maye hopes to continue to show those flashes and limit the mistakes his made in his debut, including two interceptions and a strip sack fumble.

“First off is protect the football,” Maye said, via the team’s official website.  “We kind of hurt our defense, put them in some bad spots.  But other than that, we’ve got some stuff to build on.  We’ve got some stuff to build on on film.  We’ve got to run the football; I think that’ll help.  Then for me, I thought I was seeing it pretty well, just missed that first one across the middle to Pop [DeMario Douglas], and then kind of grooved later on with Pop [Douglas].  But we’ve got some guys in the huddle that can make some plays, and my job is to get it to them and let them do their thing.”

If the Patriots can get the run game going, it will make Maye that more dangerous with his ability to get the ball down the field.  The team also must find ways to get the other playmakers involved like 2024 NFL Draft second round pick Ja’Lynn Polk and veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne.  Going against a Jaguars defense that is near last in the league in total defense, it could be a big day [or morning] for Maye and the Patriots’ offense.