Falcons take QB Penix at No. 8 in stunning move
The Atlanta Falcons selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall Thursday in the most stunning pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Falcons used a top-10 pick on Penix despite signing four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180-million deal in free agency this year.
Penix, who turns 24 in May, was considered the fourth- or fifth-best quarterback prospect of the 2024 class. He spent six years in college football and put on a show at Washington over the last two seasons, passing for 67 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while completing 65% of his passes.
Penix is the fourth quarterback off the board this year after Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders), and Drake Maye (New England Patriots).
With Cousins joining in free agency, the Falcons were expected to select a new offensive weapon or a defensive player with the No. 8 pick. Atlanta hasn't drafted a defender since using the No. 16 choice on cornerback A.J. Terrell in 2020. The NFC South club selected tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson in the last three years.
The Falcons hired Raheem Morris as head coach this offseason to replace Arthur Smith.
Pre-draft profile
Penix has a cannon for an arm. While most quarterbacks see their effectiveness drop off deep and outside the numbers, that's actually where the Washington product does his best work. The ball gets downfield on a rope with the flick of a wrist, and his feel for accuracy on vertical routes is sublime. He's also got some subtle pocket-management skills that allow him to slide away from pressure and reset. Those abilities, combined with his willingness to challenge tight windows downfield, could make him a big-time playmaker in an offense that attacks vertically. The rest of his game may require some development. Penix needs to throw on time with improved accuracy at other levels of the field to become a complete quarterback. And while his impressive pro day numbers generated some buzz, that athleticism never really showed up when it came to making plays outside the pocket. He's also already 24 years old and has an extensive injury history. Scheme fit and supporting cast could be crucial for Penix's chances of developing into a franchise quarterback.