Bri One Three.

Michael Penix Jr. is a championship-caliber QB who deserved a top-10 draft spot despite his injury history. However, it is shocking that the team that chose to draft him No. 8 overall was the Atlanta Falcons.

Penix suffered several season-ending injuries throughout his time at Indiana University before transferring to the University of Washington as a junior. In 2022, he led the Huskies to an 11–2 record as their starting QB.

During his senior year, Penix and the Huskies went undefeated in their regular season. They won the Pac-12 Championship Game, where Penix was named MVP. They finished their season with a record of 14-1 after the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship game, which they lost to the University of Michigan.

Penix led the NCAA in passing yards with 4,903 yards on a near 66% completion rate, beating his previously set single-season passing yards record at Washington. He maintained a passing efficiency rating above 150 during both seasons at Washington and finished second overall in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Penix was picked No.8 overall by the Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were predicted to fill key defensive positions with their No. 8 spot by selecting an edge rusher or cornerback who would potentially start. Drafting Penix itself would not have been an astounding decision if they hadn’t already put forward a massive contract this offseason to former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.

Cousins, who sustained a season-ending Achilles injury during Week 8 of the 2023/2024 season, signed a four-year $180 million contract with the Falcons this past March, which includes $100 million guaranteed. Cousins’ agent made it clear to reporters that he was not aware of the Falcons’ decision until they were on the clock. Cousins has not yet made a statement, but Penix shared that they had a private conversation in which both parties stated they were excited to work together during the upcoming season.

My opinion 

There are a lot of mixed opinions surrounding this decision, but many people were confused, at the very least, including me.

My opinion is quite slanted since Penix was the candidate I projected to win the Heisman in November. It is unfair to deduce his talents to his age and injuries when he has yet to perform in an NFL game. Athletes deemed injury-prone are often seen as a liability long before they can prove they are assets, which is the general idea most people have towards Penix.

Now, do I think the Falcons’ decision to draft him was a good one? Absolutely not. Sports analysts believe their choice was deeply rooted in the concern that they wouldn’t have a chance of getting another high-quality QB without an early pick toward the end of Cousins’ contract. Regardless, it’s not sensible to draft a backup QB with your first-round, top-10 pick before your starter plays a single game with the team.

At the end of the day, this team has the same goal as every other team, and amid all the changes taking place, I’m looking forward to seeing how their season goes. Good luck, boys!