Bo Nix, Russell Wilson and every sixth QB drafted since 1983

If past were prologue, the Broncos would be sitting on a goldmine.

Of course, that’s not how history works and it’s not how football works, but what’s the harm in a little historical coincidence?

Denver on Thursday night drafted Bo Nix with the No. 12 overall pick, making him the sixth quarterback selected and marking the first time six had been taken in the first round since 1983.

It just so happens that the 1983 class, led by John Elway at No. 1, is considered perhaps the greatest quarterback class of all time.

The sixth quarterback taken that year? Dan Marino, No. 27 to the Miami Dolphins. That worked out pretty well.

Elway, Marino and Jim Kelly (No. 14 to Buffalo) are all NFL Hall of Famers.

Of course, that year is an outlier in NFL history, though there are a handful of other success stories from QB6 in other draft classes.

In 2012, Seattle grabbed Russell Wilson at No. 75. Maybe you’ve heard of him.

In 2011, San Francisco picked Colin Kaepernick at No. 36.

Gus Frerotte went No. 197 overall to Washington in 1994 and threw for more than 21,000 yards in his career.