Falcons Draft Michael Penix? Top NFL QB Prospect Would Be 'Grateful'
The Atlanta Falcons have a question mark at quarterback - and one of the best signal callers in the 2024 NFL Draft is interested in being the solution.
University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting after accumulating 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns in 15 games, hails from Tampa, Florida, home of Atlanta's NFC South rivals, the Buccaneers.
But Penix said after practice for last Saturday's Reese's Senior Bowl that he'd be interested in playing for the Falcons - along with any organization willing to take a chance on him.
"If the Falcons want me, I'll be grateful to go there," Penix said, via Fox 5 Atlanta. "If the next team wants me, I'll be grateful to go there. It doesn't matter to me - I just want to show that I'm willing to compete and I'll do that at the highest level."
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons have the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft.
Atlanta currently has three quarterbacks - Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke and Logan Woodside - on its roster, but none appear to be the answer for 2024 after owner Arthur Blank dubbed the team's quarterback play "deficient" following the season.
Penix will turn 24 years old on May 8, a few weeks after the draft's conclusion; his age has drawn concerns, as has his injury history, which includes a pair of torn ACLs (2018 and 2020) and season-shortening shoulder injuries (2019 and 2021) while at Indiana University.
But during his two years with the Huskies, Penix proved he could stay on the field, starting all 28 possible games. He completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in that span.
The 6-3, 218-pound lefty has often garnered praise for his accuracy and leadership, though predictions of his draft stock have varied - anywhere from the top-10 to outside the top-50.
But whether it's in Atlanta or not, or a first-round pick or not, Penix stressed he's ready to get to work.
"Any team, I'm excited for," Penix said. "I feel like anywhere I go, I feel like I'll be able to make an impact. I'm not just going to specifically talk about one team right now. Wherever I go, I'll be blessed for the opportunity, and I'm going to make the most out of it."
The 2024 NFL Draft is set for April 25-27 in Detroit.
