According to NFL Media's James Palmer, the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders were all looking to jump into the top ten to take Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr.
With six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks of this draft, it was clear that there was a distinct premium on the first tier of quarterbacks in this draft. The Falcons were in the catbird seat as they stayed at pick number eight and allowed the chips to fall as they may until their guy fell to them.
New Orleans, Seattle and Las Vegas all have glaring needs at quarterback, New Orleans and Seattle with veteran quarterbacks they don't believe in and Las Vegas holding on to the league's most fun bridge quarterback, Gardner Minshew. The 2023 Maxwell Award winner found himself the caller for many suitors, the Falcons were just the ones with the upper hand and the proper positioning to take him.
