All the draft predictions have been ongoing and possibly a bit unbearable for Denver Broncos fans this offseason.

The quarterback position is a definite area of requirement for head coach Sean Payton. NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter has identified a primary candidate for the Broncos with the 12th pick — and surprisingly, it’s not Bo Nix.

Reuter has suggested Heisman finalist and former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as one of two prime selections for Denver in the draft.

“I am cautious about placing Penix in the first round due to his injury history, but the Broncos’ urgent need for a quarterback makes it challenging to overlook him,” Reuter mentioned in his article dated April 12. “Head coach Sean Payton might construct a solid offensive line to safeguard Penix, just like he did for precise pocket thrower Drew Brees in New Orleans.

Penix’s injury track record raises concerns and may lead to him slipping out of first-round consideration. The quarterback from Washington presents an element of unpredictability, but this factor should not deter Payton.

Bucky Brooks, a colleague of Reuter, raised doubts about whether Penix’s success was solely due to the offensive scheme under former Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer. Nevertheless, the analyst praised the 23-year-old QB for his outstanding physical abilities.

“Being an expert in long passes, Penix possesses exceptional arm talent and natural skills as a traditional pocket thrower,” Brooks expressed in his piece on April 12. “Penix adeptly dissects defense with precise accuracy, showcasing remarkable placement and accuracy on deep throws. Given Penix’s highlight reel filled with explosive long passes that soar past defenses, teams in search of a bold, aggressive quarterback will likely rank the Washington standout highly on their draft boards

CBS Sports included Penix as a projected pick for Denver in their latest 2024 mock draft.

In a case of shared thinking, both Reuter and Jordan Dajani from CBS Sports seemed to be on the same page.

Dajani predicted Penix as the Broncos’ choice with the 12th pick in his fresh 2024 mock draft.

“The Broncos secure a new top quarterback who excels at throwing the ball long distances — especially in the high altitude of Denver,” Dajani penned in his mock draft on April 13. “The runner-up for the 2023 Heisman Trophy topped the FBS in passing yards last season (4,903) and became the first player since Patrick Mahomes to achieve multiple seasons with 4,500 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns.”

Penix accumulated 9,544 passing yards and 67 touchdown passes, completing 65.4% of his passes in 27 games during his time at Washington from 2022 to 2023.

Having played in 48 collegiate games with the Huskies and Indiana Hoosiers, the Washington quarterback’s extensive experience and strong passing skills will undoubtedly make him a desirable choice for any team.

Another FCS pass rusher was also viewed as a top choice alongside Penix.

Penix wasn’t the sole player identified as an “ideal” top pick for the Broncos in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft.

Reuter also highlighted Houston Christian edge rusher Jalyx Hunt as a potential choice for Denver at the No. 76 overall pick.

“Hunt’s transition from playing safety at Cornell to excelling as an edge rusher has been impressive, showcasing his ability with 20.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks during his last two seasons with the Huskies. His combination of length (34 3/8-inch arms) and speed (4.64 40-yard dash) positions him as a strong third-round selection for the Broncos, a team in need of pass rush talent,” Reuter elaborated.

Hunt earned Second-team All-Southland honors while playing at Houston Christian in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

He made history by being the first player from his school chosen to take part in the Senior Bowl, where he was one of four FCS athletes to receive an invitation to the prestigious event in 2024.