The Atlanta Falcons produced the most important shock of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday evening as they chose quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth total choose – however why?
Penix guided the Washington Huskies to the Faculty Nationwide Championship throughout his remaining yr at school, however lands in Atlanta little over a month for the reason that Falcons made Kirk Cousins their new beginning quarterback by signing him to a four-year, $180m contract throughout free company.
Having been tipped to deal with their cross rush early within the first spherical, the Falcons as a substitute sought an obvious contingency plan for Cousins.
Talking on a Draft version of Contained in the Huddle, Sky Sports activities NFL knowledgeable Jeff Reinebold questioned the choice.
“I was surprised, Penix was my fourth-rated quarterback, but I didn’t think he would go at eighth,” mentioned Reinebold. “They have to clearly have a succession plan for what is going on to occur after Kirk Cousins, however the truth they did not notify Kirk Cousins they’d draft this man is a pretend pas in my eyes.
“These are extraordinarily aggressive, large ego-driven guys and so they’re the face of the franchise.
“You keep in mind the powerful scenario in Inexperienced Bay with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, it has been this manner quite a lot of locations, it’s important to pay respect to your starter.
“I think Penix is a great player, if you talk about him being the future, the issue is he’s 23-years-old and has had four-season ending injuries in his career.”
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Jeff Reinebold thinks the Arizona Cardinals have discovered themselves a ‘actual dude’ in Marvin Harrison Jr and the followers must be ‘ecstatic’ with the fourth choose within the draft
At 23, Penix is often older than most rookie quarterbacks that enter the NFL and is poised to spend a number of years sitting behind the famously-durable Cousins, who was introduced in to information one of many league’s most gifted ability place teams in direction of rivalry.
“Kirk is highly competitive, he could play three or four more years and then you go to a 26/27-year-old quarterback as your succession plan,” Reinebold continued. “If he was J.J. McCarthy who’s 21, you would see it, however I do not see it, though I really like Michael Penix.
With Cousins and a talent-rich receiver room in place, the Falcons had regarded primed to strengthen a protection missing recognised cross rushers on the prime of the Draft. They did, nonetheless, welcome Clemson defensive deal with Ruke Orhorhoro and Washington defensive finish Bralen Trice on day two.
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The Contained in the Huddle crew replicate on a really pro-offensive first spherical of the 2024 draft
Penix led Washington to a 14-1 document in 2023 whereas finishing 363 of 555 passes for a nation-high 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns to 11 interceptions on his technique to ending second in Heisman Trophy voting and successful the Maxwell Award recognising the Faculty Soccer Participant of the 12 months.
“I had him rated before J.J. McCarthy and before Bo Nix, nobody in the Draft throws the deep ball as well as he does,” mentioned Reinebold. “Will that be Atlanta’s offense? Will they be a deep ball offense?
“He isn’t an out-of-the-pocket participant, he is not a man that may create out the pocket. If you will get to him he would not operate effectively when he has to improvise.
“All you have to do is watch Rome Odunze’s film, his ball-placement on deep balls is incredible.”
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The Contained in the Huddle crew focus on which 2024 draft quarterback has the most effective prospects forward of the brand new season
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