Former opponents back Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix’s top spot

The Atlanta Falcons surprised a lot of people when they selected former Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. 8th overall in the NFL Draft two weeks ago.

Most thought Atlanta took themselves out of the quarterback race by signing Kirk Cousins ​​to a 4-year, $180 million contract with $90 million guaranteed.

The shock that accompanied the pick was more about the Falcons than Penix as a prospect. Those who had to coach and plan the game against Penix were not surprised to see him drafted in the top half of the first round.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg spoke to nearly two dozen college coaches, including several who faced Penix, and they weren’t at all surprised that Penix was highly regarded among NFL evaluators.

“It makes a lot of sense when you think about how difficult it is to have good quarterback flow in your organization, to have that guy ready to roll,” an anonymous power conference coach told Rittenberg on ESPN+. “The way he started his pro day and the way he ran, I felt like he was gaining a lot of momentum. I was like, ‘Someone is going to take him in the first round and probably in the Top 15 picks.’

“I just didn’t expect Atlanta to be the one.”

Here it is. The surprise comes from the Atlanta Falcons front office. General manager Terry Fontenot knew this choice was going to be controversial before he made it. It must be recognized that he remained faithful to his positions and trusted the evaluation of his team.

Falcons podcast: Watch | Spotify | Apple pods

“We knew in our hearts that if we had a lot of people in the building that loved him and expected him to be that player, and he’s somewhere else, then that’s unforgivable,” Fontenot said to Albert Breer of SI.

One Pac-12 coach thought it would be the Denver Broncos who would choose between Bo Nix and Oregon’s Penix. He didn’t expect Penix to fall below the Raiders to 13th.

“Both of those guys were talented enough to be in that conversation, especially with Penix’s arm talent and Nix’s competitiveness and football sense,” a Pac-12 defensive coordinator told Rittenberg. “Nix is ​​going to a head coach (Sean Payton) who really believes in him, as does Drew Brees. It’s a bit of a tricky situation for Penix, but I believe in a rookie quarterback sitting and watching and observing how the veterans do it.

“I was a big fan of Penix. The arm talent was so special.”

Payton admitted he was worried when the Falcons selected Penix. This could force the Raiders to trade up and select Nix. Like the Falcons, he held on and put his guy at 12th.

Six quarterbacks went with the first 12 picks in the NFL draft…a record. History tells us that at least half of these guys won’t live up to their draft status. The Falcons are hoping it will be several years before Penix returns to the field because it will mean their investment in Kirk Cousins ​​was good in the short term.

If you listen to those who had to play against Penix in Washington, Atlanta’s future is in good hands.