The 2024 Draft was unfolding with entirely too much normalcy. Thankfully the Atlanta Falcons were ready to unleash one of the most shocking picks in modern draft history, by taking Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Michael Penix Jr’s stunning Falcons selection throws NFL Draft out of whack
WHAT?!
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
There was absolutely nothing to indicate Penix was on the Falcons’ radar entering the first round. This came for obvious reasons, as Atlanta had just spent $180M to make Kirk Cousins their quarterback for the next four years. A team that looked to be right on the cusp of becoming elite with a few more pieces instead took a quarterback they won’t need until 2028 at the earliest.
Perhaps you could justify this with the concept of keeping the shelves stocked at the NFL’s most important position, but we’re still talking about Penix being 27-years old by the time Cousins’ contract is up — and he’s still a guy with multiple injuries in his college career who was seen as a fringe first round pick at best.
So, in short, the Falcons decided not to take a player they could win with right now, despite being in win-now mode — in order to take a guy who might help them in the future. However, they over-drafted Penix, in an overhyped QB class.
Thank you for the chaos, Atlanta.
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