The Atlanta Falcons sent a shockwave throughout the NFL world by taking Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. After the initial shock, the move brought mixed reactions as far as draft grades go. With that, I've compiled a collection of a few draft grades from day one as the NFL world continues to react to the unorthodox selection.
NFL.com's Chad Reuter: C
Penix suffered season-ending injuries in each of his four years at Indiana, but the pocket presence, strong arm and accuracy he showed at Washington clearly captured the Falcons’ imagination. Without the injury history, he might have been the second or third quarterback off the board, so it made sense to see Penix picked among the second tier of passers. It is confusing, though, that it was the Falcons who took Penix after giving Kirk Cousins a massive contract this offseason (despite coming off injury). Add in the risk of the young quarterback having to battle back from another shoulder or knee injury early in his career, and I think it's one of the riskier draft picks in recent memory.
CBS Sport's Pete Prisco: B-
They opted to take their quarterback of the future by taking Penix. He has all the tools, but will learn and wait behind Kirk Cousins. I wonder if he can rush the passer. Like the player, but don't like the pick.
The Athletic: C
And we’ve found our first stunner. Months after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million, the Falcons go quarterback — and not J.J. McCarthy. Instead, it’s Penix, the nearly 24-year-old lefty. This is beyond interesting and, for Cousins, perhaps feels like a bit of deja vu from his days alongside Robert Griffin III.
Penix is a talented passer, to be sure. But there are questions here: his age, his health (he’s had multiple leg injuries), his consistency as an accurate passer and the fact Cousins is making a fortune. Penix doesn’t throw the ball over the middle with nearly the same confidence he shows outside the numbers. He’s going to have to figure out better answers versus pressure.
But his arm talent is outstanding, and it’s hard to bet against his perseverance. At No. 8, though? This feels a reach. Time will tell.
Draft Wire's Gavino Borquez: C-
The first stunner of the first round came courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons who selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. This is a huge risk/reward move for the Falcons who has an ugly injury history but a very high ceiling. With Kirk Cousins on the roster, this wasn’t the best use of a draft pick on a team that struggles so much to rush the passer.
Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame: D+
Penix is a fascinating prospect. He’s 24 years old and had a pair of torn ACLs in college. He also struggled at Indiana before transferring to Washington, where he took off in every way.
That said, this is a wild pick. He’s an older prospect and Kirk Cousins is signed for four years. The fit is dubious at best.
Yahoo Sports Charles Robinson: F
First F of the draft! What is going on in Atlanta? This pick makes absolutely no sense. The Falcons signed Kirk Cousins and are now drafting a six-year college starter to sit behind him for two years? What sense does that make? Penix isn't the cleanest prospect and he has injury concerns. We'll find out what this looks like when he sees the field in 2026 or 2027.
Pro Football Focus: Below Average
This is the first shocker of the night. Penix had gained more first-round buzz leading up to tonight, but no one thought the Falcons were in the quarterback market after signing Kirk Cousins this offseason. Penix was the only quarterback in college football who recorded more than 40 big-time throws during the 2023 season. Atlanta clearly values his skill set and will look to develop him behind Cousins.
SB Nation's Joseph Acosta: C-
Oh man. Look, I love Michel Penix Jr. and his game. The injury concerns very clearly didn’t scare teams away and neither did the wonky release. I just wonder why the Falcons would pick a QB at 8 knowing that Kirk Cousins is their guy for the next two to three years. This is confusing. Love the player, weird fit and spot to take him.
