2024 NFL Draft evaluate: Michael Penix Jr heads to Atlanta Falcons in shock Draft transfer | NFL Information

The Atlanta Falcons produced the most important shock of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night time as they chose quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth total choose – however why?

Penix guided the Washington Huskies to the School Nationwide Championship throughout his remaining yr in school, however lands in Atlanta little over a month because the Falcons made Kirk Cousins their new beginning quarterback by signing him to a four-year, $180m contract throughout free company.

Having been tipped to handle their move rush early within the first spherical, the Falcons as an alternative sought an obvious contingency plan for Cousins.

Talking on a Draft version of Contained in the Huddle, Sky Sports activities NFL knowledgeable Jeff Reinebold questioned the choice.

“I used to be stunned, Penix was my fourth-rated quarterback, however I did not suppose he would go at eighth,” stated Reinebold. “They have to clearly have a succession plan for what is going on to occur after Kirk Cousins, however the truth they did not notify Kirk Cousins they’d draft this man is a fake pas in my eyes.

“These are extraordinarily aggressive, large ego-driven guys they usually’re the face of the franchise.

“You keep in mind the powerful state of affairs in Inexperienced Bay with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, it has been this manner quite a lot of locations, you must pay respect to your starter.

“I believe Penix is a good participant, for those who speak about him being the longer term, the problem is he is 23-years-old and has had four-season ending accidents in his profession.”

At 23, Penix is often older than most rookie quarterbacks that enter the NFL and is poised to spend a number of years sitting behind the famously-durable Cousins, who was introduced in to information one of many league’s most gifted talent place teams in the direction of competition.

“Kirk is extremely aggressive, he may play three or 4 extra years and you then go to a 26/27-year-old quarterback as your succession plan,” Reinebold continued. “If he was J.J. McCarthy who’s 21, you can see it, however I do not see it, although I like Michael Penix.

With Cousins and a talent-rich receiver room in place, the Falcons had appeared primed to strengthen a protection missing recognised move rushers on the prime of the Draft. They did, nonetheless, welcome Clemson defensive deal with Ruke Orhorhoro and Washington defensive finish Bralen Trice on day two.

Penix led Washington to a 14-1 document in 2023 whereas finishing 363 of 555 passes for a nation-high 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns to 11 interceptions on his approach to ending second in Heisman Trophy voting and successful the Maxwell Award recognising the School Soccer Participant of the Yr.

“I had him rated earlier than J.J. McCarthy and earlier than Bo Nix, no one within the Draft throws the deep ball in addition to he does,” stated Reinebold. “Will that be Atlanta’s offense? Will they be a deep ball offense?

“He isn’t an out-of-the-pocket participant, he is not a man that can create out the pocket. If you may get to him he does not perform effectively when he has to improvise.

“All you must do is watch Rome Odunze’s movie, his ball-placement on deep balls is unbelievable.”

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