Falcons select Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. with No. 8 overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft

Atlanta has drafted the heir apparent to Kirk Cousins in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Falcons selected Washington quarterback Michel Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.

It’s a stunning move for Atlanta, who inked Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million in guarantees in March despite him coming off an Achilles injury.

Not only did the move surprise fans who were watching the draft coverage on TV, but even Cousins’ camp was caught off guard by the Falcons’ decision to select a QB in the top 10.

Mike McCartney, the agent of Cousins, expressed his surprise to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo on Thursday night. “Yes, it was a big surprise,” he said. “We had no inkling this was about to happen. In fact, the entire league was caught off guard. We received no prior warning. The first indication we got was a call from the Falcons to Kirk while they were on the clock. It had never been mentioned in our conversations.”

Conversations were circulating that the Falcons might trade down and secure Penix. However, General Manager Terry Fontenot didn’t waste time and chose to select the quarterback at No. 8.

Fontenot confirmed in his press conference following the end of the first round that Penix, who will be turning 24 in May, will likely serve as Cousins’ backup for the next few years, positioning himself as a potential successor.

“Adding a high-caliber player with such intangibles and tools is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed,” said Fontenot. “Kirk Cousins is our quarterback and we’re thrilled about him and the team. As for Michael Penix, we’re discussing the future.”

At his second school, Washington, Penix soared to fame and rapidly elevated the Huskies to contenders for the national title within just two seasons. His first season in Seattle saw him earn second-team All-Pac-12 accolades. His final season with Washington was even more impressive, as he won the coveted Maxwell Award for the nation’s top player and ended up with second-team All-American and All-Pac-12 honours. He also made the finalist list for several prestigious awards, including the Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

Leading the Football Bowl Subdivision with 4,903 passing yards, which fueled one of the most explosive passing attacks in college football, resulted in all the hardware. Penix and the offense propelled the Huskies to a Pac-12 title, which was only secured after defeating Oregon twice in 2023. They also triumphed over Texas in the Sugar Bowl and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

With a live arm capable of spreading the ball among Washington’s cast of talented targets (headlined by fellow top 2024 draft prospect Rome Odunze, who was taken by the Bears at No. 9, one pick after Penix went to Atlanta), Penix rocketed up draft boards to join the top quarterbacks in the 2024 class. Scouts love his arm talent, as well as his toughness and perseverance to fight through the many injuries suffered in his six-year career. That said, his injury history has left some wondering whether he might be a risky investment.

Penix initiated his university career at Indiana, playing a key role in transforming the Hoosiers from an overlooked team to a Big Ten contender during his redshirt freshman and sophomore years. However, his progress was marred by recurring injuries. He was restricted to only 20 games over four years in Bloomington due to two ACL tears and two shoulder conditions. Recognizing the need for a fresh start, Penix followed his offensive coordinator at Indiana, Kalen DeBoer, in a transfer to Washington in 2022.

DeBoer departed Washington following a two-year tenure and a national title game appearance to succeed Nick Saban at the University of Alabama, a well-known collegiate powerhouse. Concurrently, Penix is transitioning to the NFL where he will be mentored by Cousins.

The initial expectation going into the draft was that the Falcons would focus on enhancing their defense, having previously prioritized offensive skill position players in the early stages of the first round. Contrary to this, Atlanta ensured the longevity of their quarterback position for the foreseeable future.