How QB Michael Penix Jr. Fits with the Atlanta Falcons

Let’s look at why Penix was the quarterback Atlanta targeted and what he’ll bring to the franchise

The Falcons made the first major surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix with the No. 8 overall pick. Penix was one of the main characters of the 2023 college football season, leading the Huskies to a 14-1 record and a trip to the national championship, but many draft experts pegged him as a Day 2 talent who could get taken in the first round because of the value of the position to NFL teams.

That expectation set by the draft community ultimately led to some raised eyebrows and many negative reactions when the Falcons took Penix in the Top 10. However, in the aftermath, reports surfaced that Atlanta wasn’t the only team that viewed Penix as a talent worthy of such a selection.

Pre-draft expectations are beside the point now: Penix is officially an Atlanta Falcon, and he is the heir apparent to Kirk Cousins at the quarterback position. What the Falcons failed to do during the Matt Ryan Era—find a successor at the game’s preeminent spot—they did at the first opportunity after acquiring an established veteran.

Let’s look at why Penix was the quarterback Atlanta targeted and what he’ll bring to the franchise.

The 6-foot-3, 213-pound Penix won the 2023 Maxwell Award, which is awarded to “the best player in college football” and is viewed similarly to the Heisman Trophy, which he finished second in voting for as well. Penix completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 4,903 yards (most in the nation) with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season as a sixth-year senior. For his career, which also included four seasons at Indiana, Penix played in 49 games and completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 13,741 yards with 96 touchdowns and 34 interceptions.

He is generally regarded as the best pure thrower in the 2024 draft class with the arm talent to attack every portion of the field from the pocket. After working with Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles the last few seasons, it’s no surprise that head coach Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson sought similar characteristics in the two quarterbacks they acquired this offseason.

“You’re talking about a guy who is a pocket passer, who can progress really well, who can do all the things you want him to do, throw the ball all over the field,” Morris said of Penix during the team’s press conference after the first round.

We don’t yet know exactly what Atlanta’s new offense will look like under Morris with Robinson as offensive coordinator, but the Rams provide a strong reference point. Los Angeles ranks 10^th in early-down pass rate since 2021, according to rbsdm.com, throwing it 54.7 percent of the time on early downs. Conversely, the Falcons rank 30^th during that same time frame.

So the quarterback’s arm will be essential to making this receiver-heavy offense operate at a high level. That’s why Cousins is here, but it’s also why the Falcons felt it was important to secure a short-term backup with similar arm talent who can also provide a bridge to the future while possessing the time to iron out any impediments. For a better sense of the pros and cons of Penix’s game, here are what some draft experts had to say:

“Overall, Penix is inconsistent in several key areas (mechanics, anticipation, pressure reaction), but his arm confidence and willingness to attack every square inch of the field can be a productive formula in the right situation. His mental toughness will be a strong selling point in NFL draft rooms.” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic

“He plays with smart pocket mobility and a willingness to get rid of the football, which makes it difficult to sack him. His delivery is bundled and his release point is very low, but his monster game against Texas showed flashes of impeccable touch. Penix has plenty of arm but needs to work with more consistent timing between the numbers to eliminate unnecessary contested throws. He’s a pocket passer who was ineffective in 2023 when defenses were able to crank up the heat and make him move his feet.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Penix is a tall, left-handed thrower with an affinity for effortlessly whipping high-velocity lasers downfield. He has a quick release, and the ball jumps off his hand; he has no problem hitting deep outs or downfield bombs…

“Penix has a tendency to fall away or drift when he throws against pressure, which causes the ball to sail. He has an unorthodox throwing motion (though it does look less wonky when you mirror the video to make him right-handed). He is more comfortable throwing outside the numbers, and his numbers in the intermediate middle of the field are concerning.” – Danny Kelly, The Ringer

It’s difficult to specify exactly how Penix fits into this offense without seeing what the offense looks like first. Add to that the fact that Penix will ideally get at least two years to develop and learn before needing to see meaningful playing time. But we know that the raw arm talent is there to work with, and he achieved at a very high level for the Washington Huskies.

His age is generally viewed as a negative, especially considering his two-year timeline (at least) as a backup, but if he’s forced into early action should Cousins get hurt, he has plenty of experience to call upon. Penix has played in some huge games over the last two years, and he’s played well in big moments.

Does that experience, coupled with the pure passing ability he possesses, make him worthy of a Top 10 pick? The Falcons sure hope so.