Recent buzz surrounding top quarterback prospect is only good news for Bengals' NFL Draft plans
17 selections separate the Cincinnati Bengals from the start of the NFL Draft to their first round pick. With all eyes on the trenches, the Bengals will be hoping for as few offensive and defensive tackles being taken ahead of them as possible. A run on quarterbacks may ultimately ensure the Bengals get one of their main […]
17 selections separate the Cincinnati Bengals from the start of the NFL Draft to their first round pick.
With all eyes on the trenches, the Bengals will be hoping for as few offensive and defensive tackles being taken ahead of them as possible.
A run on quarterbacks may ultimately ensure the Bengals get one of their main targets. Four are projected top-10 picks, and another looks primed to be picked not long afterwards in front of Cincinnati.
Former Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. has been on the receiving end of first round buzz from multiple insider reports. The Heisman Trophy finalist is coming off a career year that nearly resulted in a National Championship for the Huskies.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport recently stated that Penix is likely to hear his name called in the first half of the first round, which is the top 16 picks.
Currently ranked 31st on the Consensus Big Board, Penix hasn't been viewed as a lock for the first round over the last few months. The media usually ends up playing catch up to how the league views certain players.
The 23-year old southpaw passer is likely thought of more favorably along NFL circles than many realize. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer recently reported that Penix is generally rated higher with coaches compared to scouts.
Penix spent four years at Indiana before transferring to Washington as a starter. He threw for 9,544 yards and 67 touchdowns to just 19 interceptions over two years with the Huskies.
Being on the older side is what's likely going to have Penix waiting to be drafted behind the likes of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy. Once those four are off the board, the idea of Penix attracting a team like the LAs Vegas Raiders, who hold the 13th overall pick, becomes entirely plausible.
Vegas is the current betting favorite to become Penix's new home, and another AFC West team, the Denver Broncos, are not too far behind. Denver holds the 12 pick.
The most likely destinations for Penix are teams that pick ahead of the Bengals in the first round. Another quarterback to join the aforementioned four would only bump an extra highly-graded prospect down the board for the Bengals to draft.
It certainly pays to already have the quarterback locked in.
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