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Sports Illustrated predicts Atlanta Falcons draft pick could be biggest draft bust

Theo

In a recent projection, Sports Illustrated identified “five 2024 NFL Draft picks most likely to be busts in the NFC.” SI highlighted concerns over the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round selection, 8th overall, of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., suggesting he has the potential to be the biggest bust in the draft.

Penix’s injury tag is derived from his first 4 seasons as QB at Indiana, where he suffered several season-ending injuries, including tearing his right ACL twice. After transferring to the University of Washington, he remained healthy for the final two seasons of his six-year college career, which allowed Penix to start 28 consecutive games for the Huskies.

While there may be uncertainty about Penix’s durability, his trajectory as a starting QB at the University of Washington has been impressive. Over the last two years as a starter in Washington, Penix’s statistics are exceptional:

In his final year in Washington in 2023, Penix led the nation with 4,903 passing yards and ranked third with 36 passing touchdowns. He proved to be a team leader while leading the Huskies to a 14-win season. Their only loss came in the College Football Playoff National Championship when they were defeated by Michigan 34-13.

May 10, 2024; Flowering branch, Georgia, United States; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr (9) passes the ball during Rookie Minicamp at Falcons training camp. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

May 10, 2024; Flowering branch, Georgia, United States; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr (9) passes the ball during Rookie Minicamp at Falcons training camp. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

By identifying Penix as a potential breakthrough project, SI identified:

NFL.com also noted that scouts were concerned about Penix’s durability and ability to avoid injuries: “He’s played well (in 2023) and hasn’t missed a game since arriving in Washington, but you just can’t turn a blind eye to all the games he’s missed and all the injuries he’s suffered. – NFC area scout

Before the draft, Penix wrote a compelling article for The Players Tribune to increase his draft stock, in which he wrote “A Letter to NFL General Managers” focusing on his personal courage, obstacles and challenges. past successes, and explaining why he would be a draft winner. pro level.

READ MORE: Another conversation about the Falcons and Michael Penix Jr.

Unless Cousins ​​is injured, don’t expect to see Penix as a full-time starter until at least his third season. That means waiting until the 2026 season when he will be 26 years old. Expect Atlanta to try to use Penix for some one-time plays intended to confuse defenses, designed opportunities, or clear out the No. 2 quarterback role.

The Falcons have signed a ton of young, explosive players, so Penix is ​​ready to build chemistry with his younger teammates while waiting behind the veteran QB who was brought in to win now.

As a whole, the scenario of drafting an older QB who spent 6 years in college and is considered one of the most NFL-ready QBs, after simply signing a rookie veteran QB to a contract of several years, seems like a waste of top 10 draft capital for a team that has the potential to win immediately. This also has the potential to create a myriad of personnel and chemistry issues, including between Penix and Cousins.

All of this poses problems for Penix’s success in Atlanta.

READ MORE: Dan Orlovsky Changed His Mind When Examining Falcons’ Decision to Sign Michael Penix Jr.

READ MORE: NFL Analyst Roasts Falcons Over Michael Penix Jr. Selection in Viral Tweet

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