Renck: Bo Nix behind Drake Maye, Bryce Young? Broncos QB will prove a lot of people wrong in Year 2.

Bo-gus for Bo Nix.

The Broncos quarterback continues to create suspicion about his rookie season. It traces back to his draft status, his skillset and that last season in Auburn that some people cannot seem to forget.

With training camp two months away, social media feeds populate with rankings. While respecting the work involved, two created irritation.

Pro Football Focus ordered all 32 projected starters this week, dividing them into seven tiers. It began with the elite (Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen) and ended with low-enders who are not long-term options (Joe Flacco, Anthony Richardson, Mason Rudolph, Tyler Shough).

Nix found himself sandwiched in between, ranked No. 19 in the less-than-inspiring Tier 4 of “young players with a wide range of potential outcomes.” PFF noted that Nix posted the sixth-best quarterback rating over the final 13 games in 2024. He accounted for 34 touchdowns. But that was not enough to slide him into the “solid starters, but they need more help” group.

Listen, Nix is not yet a top-10 quarterback. He has to perform against a tougher schedule with a target now on his back.

But there remains a lack of appreciation for his accomplishments based on his supporting cast. Javonte Williams led the team with 513 yards rushing. Nix tied him for touchdowns on the ground with four.

Until Marvin Mims Jr.’s emergence over the final month, Nix trusted one receiver, Courtland Sutton, on third downs and contested catches. And don’t even look at the tight ends’ stats unless you crave an upset stomach.

So, 19th? Really. Nope. Don’t agree.

There are three quarterbacks Nix deserves to be ahead of based on last season: Arizona’s Kyler Murray, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa. Murray and Tua get bumped because of injuries and Lawrence just isn’t that guy anymore. He owns a 2-13 record over his past 15 games with 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

We all realize sports are not just about numbers. Nix also passes the eye test with his ability to avoid sacks and produce chunk plays with his arm or legs.

So, no, 19th does not do him justice. Not his rookie season. Or where he is going.

If rookie running back R.J. Harvey and tight end Evan Engram burst as coach Sean Payton expects, Nix will rank comfortably in the top 15 at his position after next season.

There is a tendency to believe we don’t know what Nix can do. That one season warns against jumping to conclusions. But we do have overwhelming reasons to believe in him. How about the fact that he played his best in big moments?

In the red zone last season, Nix completed more passes (44) than Allen (39), threw more touchdowns (20) than Jayden Daniels (19) and Brock Purdy (17), and took fewer sacks (three) than Patrick Mahomes (five).

The idea of a sophomore slump hangs over second-year starters like a cartoon anvil. But no evidence exists that indicates Nix will regress. He is the starter, no longer sharing reps in a position battle. He knows the offense much better, and Payton recognizes his strengths, especially in the run game.

And yet, NFL.com showed Nix little respect when ranking the top 15 quarterbacks on rookie contracts. Nix placed seventh, and technically moves up to sixth following Purdy’s new deal. That seems about right until you look at the names in front of him.

The Panthers’ Bryce Young is fourth. Not Steve. Bryce.

Credit to Young for overcoming a benching to finish strong, delivering 15 passing touchdowns over his final 10 starts. But, he was so bad against Denver last season, defenders were openly chiding him for not throwing more so they could add to their two interceptions. Young showed he can be a functional starter. But who’s buying the high ceiling?