Michael Penix

Falcons selected Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Fresh off signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal, the Falcons pulled off arguably the biggest surprise of the draft with the selection of Penix (6'2/216). Penix is one of the older prospects in this year’s class. His six seasons in college were marred with injuries early on, but in two seasons at Washington, the strong-armed lefty finally began to turn a corner. Over the last two years, Penix has thrown for 9,544-67-19 while completing 65.4 percent of his passes. Penix is a wizard in the pocket when it comes to avoiding sacks. His 6.5 percent pressure-to-sack rate for his career is perhaps the best of any quarterback to enter the league since the stat has been tracked and makes up for his inability to break off big runs from the pocket. Penix finished second in Heisman voting in 2023. His timing and accuracy have been drawn into question throughout his career, but Penix is a fairly polished prospect who could start games early in his career in the right system. His lengthy injury history is a major concern, but he’s stayed healthy over the last two years. Now, with the Falcons, he’ll have a chance to sit behind Kirk Cousins for a few years before inevitably being ushered in as the starter.