Having just signed QB Kirk Cousins to a massive free-agent deal, the Atlanta Falcons chose Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth-overall pick
DETROIT, MI– Woah. The Atlanta Falcons were supposed to go EDGE rusher the whole way. Having just signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in what was the blockbuster inking of the year, the Falcons go ahead and pick up what will be their developmental project for the next couple of years– so early?
The matter of the fact is, the pick makes no sense. Yes, Michael Penix was one of the heralded cornucopia of quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Yes, he led the Washington Huskies to a national championship appearance. Yes he was a Heisman candidate and has shown the ability to battle through adversity. He has all the intangibles– but with Kirk Cousins locked up for four years, why now?
Penix’s deal as a first-round rookie is a four-year deal paired with a fifth-year option that’ll have to be picked up before his fourth year. In the Falcons’ perfect scenario with Kirk Cousins, he’ll play out all four years, not allowing Penix to get nearly enough live reps to see if the Falcons want to pick up the option. Throw in the fact that Penix has a long history of injury along with the fact he’s already 23– that means if he starts he’ll be sitting around 27 or 28, and you’ll see a clear question mark as to why Atlanta decided he was the best option.
Penix’s deal is also fully-guaranteed, and so is the vast majority of Cousins’ contract, this creates a clear cap situation and heavy quarterback money on the ledger for the Atlanta Falcons. Penix will most probably sit on the bench for an extended period of time.
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On the bright side, the selection creates a clear succession plan if everything works out for the Falcons. Similar to what Green Bay did in the past with Favre to Rodgers and more recently with Jordan Love, a direct, linear path for the transfer of power usually works out in the new quarterback’s favor. Penix has the talent, but has been regarded as raw. Sitting behind a 12-year-veteran like Cousins could give him plenty of time to learn and develop in order to maximize Atlanta’s window for a championship.
Penix has been widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in a QB heavy draft class. Through 12 picks, six quarterbacks were taken with Penix being the fifth. In 2022, he threw for 4,641 yards with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He went even further than that in 2023, amassing 4,903 yards with 36 TDs and 11 interceptions.
“His arm talent is as good as I’ve ever seen,” said an anonymous coach that faced Penix. “He can throw every single ball on a rope. I just wanted to blitz him. I felt like he didn’t handle pressure as well as some others. We lived and died by the blitz, but he got his yards.”
Penix is seen as a deep, gunslinger who lacks refinement, but makes up for it with precise accuracy and a cannon for an arm. Penix nevertheless stunned scouts with his pro day performance, possibly ultimately making the sell to Atlanta.
Either way, Penix will be a difference maker somehow. Either by learning and being able to hone in his skills, or some other method down the line. The Falcons took what they had on the board and used the “best man available” theory– which works, but is still baffling this early.
