Why Did The Falcons Draft Michael Penix Jr? 2024 NFL Draft Analysis

Every fan of the NFL may be able to tell you where they were when they heard Michael Penix Jr.'s name called eighth overall to the Falcons. It was one of those moments that made me scream "WHAT!" and I am not even a fan of the Falcons.

The Falcons are clearly in win-now mode and taking a rookie quarterback with an incumbent in place is mind-boggling.

I understand the logic behind this pick but it certainly clashes with the Falcons' other offseason moves and needs. Let's break down the reasoning behind this pick.

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The biggest story of round 1.

📷 @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/npAvQMGT3o

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2024

Why did the Falcons draft Michael Penix Jr.?

Michael Penix Jr. has a rocket of an arm and precision accuracy, and his NFL combine and Pro Day performances proved that he has decent athleticism.

Penix has a ton of experience having played for six college seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic and injuries granting him extra eligibility. On one hand that makes Penix an excellent NFL-ready prospect. However, considering Cousins' four-year contract, do the Falcons expect to start Penix for the first time during his age-27 season?

Supposedly, Raheem Morris loved everything about Penix. During Morris' first stop as a head coach, his quarterback was Josh Freeman. Do you even recognize that name? As such, Morris may have looked around the league and decided that this may be the best chance he has to protect the future of the position in Atlanta. This team projects to be very good for the next few years and will likely not find themselves picking in the top ten again anytime soon.

Here's the story and the context as to why the #Falcons took Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 in the NFL Draft.

It all goes back to HC Raheem Morris in 2020....

This is the story on @The33rdTeamFB: pic.twitter.com/NXQr2SckZb

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 1, 2024

The Falcons' biggest needs heading into the draft were edge rusher and cornerback. They could have had their pick of any defensive player in the draft considering that the first 14 picks were all on the offensive side of the ball. Drafting a defenseman would have helped them win now.

Perhaps there is something we do not know about Kirk Cousins' Achilles injury that led the Falcons to make this pick. It is difficult to justify because they gave Cousins $100 million guaranteed. Either way, Penix's age and the Falcons' championship window make this pick puzzling. However, we have seen many teams live in quarterback purgatory for years so this pick could turn out to be very good. Perhaps the Falcons will have the last laugh in three or four years. Only time will tell.

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