2024 NFL Draft - Michael Penix Jr. Best Landing Spots and Team Fits

Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been shooting up the draft boards.

After finishing second in the Heisman voting and leading Washington to a College Football Playoff National Championship berth, Penix has the eyes of NFL scouts. Oddsmakers have him pegged as a first-round draft pick.

But of all the teams picking in the early-to-mid first round, which would be the best fit for Michael Penix Jr.?

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What Did Michael Penix Jr. Do in College?

Michael Penix Jr., a three-star recruit, committed to Indiana University. He showed promise when healthy. He averaged 8.7 yards per attempt in 2019 and set a career high with a 157.6 passer rating. But he was rarely healthy.

Penix only played in three games as a freshman in 2018 before tearing his ACL, resulting in him redshirting. He tore his ACL again in 2020 and suffered a shoulder injury in 2021, his last year at Indiana. In 2020 and 2021, he only played in 11 games. But he played well enough to attract the attention of the University of Washington, where he transferred for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

At Washington, Penix had a much better supporting cast around him. Throwing to Rome Odunze, one of the top-three WRs in the draft, and Ja'Lynn Polk, a likely second-round pick, Penix produced. He threw for over 4,600 yards and 30 touchdowns in each of his two seasons, and he didn't miss any time with injuries.

Who Will Draft Michael Penix Jr.?

Michael Penix Jr. could be a good fit on the Denver Broncos, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Seattle Seahawks, or the New York Giants.

The Broncos are picking at No. 12. By that time, the Bears and Commanders will already have picked quarterbacks at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. If the Patriots don't pick a quarterback at No. 3, they might trade the pick to some team that would. The Vikings will also most likely take a quarterback one spot ahead of the Broncos. At that point, the Broncos could choose between Penix and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.

If the Broncos pick Nix, as the betting markets project, the Raiders could pick Penix at No. 13. The Raiders have an elite wide receiver in Davante Adams whom Penix could hit with beautiful deep passes.

The Seahawks are picking at No. 16. They have 34-year-old Geno Smith under contract for two more years. But given Smith's age and the fact that the regime is changing, they will need a new quarterback one or two years down the line.

If the Giants pick Penix, it would most likely be in Round 2. The Giants pick at No. 6, and Penix isn't going that high. With $69 million still guaranteed for Daniel Jones, the Giants aren't giving up on him this season. But if he plays poorly again, they can cut him and take just a $22 million hit in 2025. It would be nice to have his replacement already on the roster.

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