Falcons make shocking first-round selection to establish succession plan at NFL's most important position
The Atlanta Falcons made the first shocking decision of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. Penix Jr. was a highly productive quarterback in each of his last two seasons with the Washington Huskies, throwing for over 4,000 yards each year and 67 total touchdowns. He […]
The Atlanta Falcons made the first shocking decision of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.
Penix Jr. was a highly productive quarterback in each of his last two seasons with the Washington Huskies, throwing for over 4,000 yards each year and 67 total touchdowns. He moves very fluently in the pocket and has a knack for avoiding sacks.
Penix Jr. has a huge arm and doesn't hesitate to attack downfield with the ability to make any throw. Penix Jr.'s biggest red flag is his extensive injury history. He has already torn his right ACL twice and four of his six collegiate seasons ended with injury.
This was not a move many saw coming from Atlanta. The Falcons just signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a huge four-year, $180 million contract last month. That's obviously not the type of commitment a team would make to a player who is soon to be replaced.
If Penix Jr. takes the starting job from Cousins before the end of his four years, what was the point in giving Cousins that contract? On the flip side, what is the point of spending such a high draft pick on Penix Jr. just to have him sit for four years? Penix Jr. will be 28 years old after the duration of Cousins' deal.
It's a head-scratching decision by the Falcons to say the least. Drafting a QB of the future would have made more sense in a couple of years. If and when Penix Jr. takes over for Cousins, hopefully he delivers, or this could be one of the worst draft decisions in franchise history.
