Michael Penix Jr.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy runner-up led the NCAA in passing yards with 4,903 yards. He is viewed as one of the most accurate passers in the draft class - boasting the fourth-highest completion percentage on intermediate throws (10-19 yards) in the draft class last season. He also had the third-lowest pressure-to-sack rate (7%) which further highlights his playmaking abilities and his propensity to not eat drive-killing sacks. The soon-to-be 24-year-old didn't post high rushing totals, but that may have been more related to the offensive systems he played in college. His pro day featured a 4.58 40-yard dash, which is impressive for a QB who has torn his ACL twice. The Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick, presumably as a high-end insurance plan for Kirk Cousins, coming off a torn Achilles.

The Falcons drew heavy criticism by selecting Penix with the No. 8 pick in the draft after signing Kork Cousins to a lucrative four-year contract in the offseason. Penix has no clear path to playing time in 2024, although it should be noted that Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles and is entering his age-36 season. Penix has a strong, accurate arm and is good at sack avoidance, having taken just 16 sacks over his last two college season. Penix has a worrisome injury history, however. He's torn his ACL twice and has also endured shoulder issues. Penix won't be draftable in most redraft leagues, though he'd become a popular waiver-wire addition if Cousins were to go down.

Penix has good zip on the ball. He's a max effort thrower and tosses the pigskin like a shot put. In a clean pocket, he can put some nice second-level and layered throws on tape. He has pretty good ball placement, but it can be inconsistent. He limits YAC opportunities for his wide receivers on some reps as he delivers a catchable ball, but it's not in stride with his receivers as they are left waiting on the ball. Penix feels a tick behind on plenty of plays. There are too many instances of him holding the ball on film and missing a receiver running open only to deliver the ball after a corner is closing in. He's very much a see-it, throw-it quarterback at this juncture, as there aren't enough instances of him throwing with anticipation. His receivers will be at the top of their stem, and the ball should come out, but he'll hold it until they have cleared a corner. Too often, Penix locks on his first read. While there are a ton of plays where he gets the ball out quickly, those plays, in many instances, are scripted plays or wide receiver screens. When his first read is covered, Penix tends to force the ball to his receiver anyway. There's plenty to be said for tossing it up and expecting his receivers to win 50/50 balls, but this is more than that. He gets hyper-focused on his first reads and stares them down from the moment the ball is snapped. Penix too often leaves yards on the field. He shies away from using the middle of the field and, many times, won't see a receiver streaking wide open on a slant or crosser until they cross his face. Penix has a decent pocket presence. He'll roll out to avoid pressure, but rarely will you see him hang in and climb the pocket. He has no issues hanging in versus pressure, though, and taking a big hit to deliver the ball to his receiver. Overall, he feels a tick slow to feel pressure or the pass rush. Dynasty Outlook: Michael Penix got the draft capital that we crave for quarterbacks, but this could not be any more of a muddled situation. If you are reading this while wondering, "What in the actual hell is Atlanta doing?" don't worry. You're not alone. The ink has barely dried on Kirk Cousins' four-year deal with the Falcons. The earliest we could see Atlanta move on from Cousins would be in 2027. Yes, if you're doing the math correctly, that is three years from now. Penix looks like he is on the Jordan Love track, which is frightening. Waiting possibly three years with a quarterback on your dynasty roster to find out "if" he's any good is frightening. Penix will likely get drafted in many Superflex rookie drafts in the late second or early third round, but I'm currently avoiding him at that ADP. Suppose Penix really doesn't see the field for possibly three seasons. In that case, there will be plenty of opportunities for Dynasty GMs to acquire his services for their rosters for possibly cheaper (especially if his ADP settles into the second round).