The Atlanta Falcons shocked the world in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft when they drafted Washington Huskies Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at the 8th overall pick.
On the surface taking a first-round quarterback to sit behind a veteran usually pays off, especially when you look at some examples used to justify a sitting QB of the future. (Patrick Mahomes with the Chiefs, Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers with the Packers, Lamar Jackson with the Ravens)
But what if according to some you pick the wrong QB of the future? That’s how many were feeling after the selection of the Huskies quarterback.
goodnight y’all pic.twitter.com/quKrUIq43N
— jxke. 🧸 (@cantguardjake) April 26, 2024
Old Man Penix
Many look at the QB selection as baffling. Here’s some of the insight as to why. Penix is 23 and will be 24 when he reports to OTAs. He is one of the older QBs in this year's draft class.
Penix has a rough injury history with two season-ending torn ACLs in 2018 and 2020 (both to the right knee), missed the last four games of the 2019 season with a Shoulder Clavicle Fracture, and missed the remainder of his 2021 season with a separated shoulder in early October. When you look at those factors, it’s tough to understand why Penix was picked to be a developmental QB of the future after signing marquee-free agent Kirk Cousins.
But what if there was another rookie QB on the board who many deemed the draft and stash QB to have? Let me introduce Michigan QB and National Championship-winning QB, JJ McCarthy.
The Michigan Man
When looking at it through the same lenses as Penix: McCarthy had no serious injuries in college and is about 3 years younger having turned 21 in January. Plus JJ McCarthy helped Michigan win a national championship. I know wins aren’t a QB stat, but when Jim Harbaugh says you’re the best QB he’s ever worked with, it adds to the pedigree. Read that quote here.
Many draftniks saw JJ McCarthy as the perfect draft-and-sit player where he could sit and develop due to his combined younger age and franchise QB upside.
I think JJ McCarthy would thrive in a situation where he’s able to sit and develop for a season or two.
— The Mock Draft Guy ™️ (@MockDraftGuyYT) February 7, 2024
He’s clearly capable of making nuanced throws. He’s got the arm talent, and athleticism, he’s just very green, and still very young. (Just turned 21)
Would love to see what… pic.twitter.com/PCVzHzIR8r
JJ went on to be the 10th overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings where he is set up to be the successor to current Falcons QB Kirk Cousins.
Another layer to look at: A run on quarterbacks happened with 6 in the first 12 picks. So there is no guarantee that Penix would have been available later as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr. all heard their names called early.
Only time will tell if the Falcons made the right pick, but is it worth questioning now?
