2024 NFL Draft grades: Falcons pull off stunner by going Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 to sit behind Kirk Cousins

Here's what Atlanta is getting in the former Washington QB

By Jordan Dajani

& Dave Richard

Apr 26, 2024 at 1:38 pm ET • 3 min read

usatsi

The Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL world at No. 8 overall by selecting former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal worth $180 million in free agency, but at 35-years-old and coming off of a torn Achilles, you have to wonder how many years he has left. Now, Atlanta has its eventual Cousins replacement.

Penix was one of the more mysterious quarterbacks in this class solely because the range of where he was projected to come off the board was so wide. Some had him as a possible top-10 selection, while others questioned if he'd come off the board in the first round at all. Part of that was due to two ACL tears Penix suffered while at Indiana. What isn't up for debate, however, is his arm talent. Penix is said to have one of the better deep balls of any quarterback in the class, and that was on full display at Washington.

After transferring from Indiana, Penix took the college football world by storm with the Huskies. In 2022, he was the FBS leader in passing yards, which helped to to win the Maxwell Award. He followed that up with a 2023 during which he led Washington to a 13-0 regular season where he finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting after leading the NCAA in passing yards. The first-team All-American helped bring Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship game but fell to Michigan. In his final collegiate season, Penix threw for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Here's what the Falcons are getting in Penix, including his scouting report, pro comparison, career accolades, fantasy fit and overall NFL outlook.

NFL Draft grade: 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." -- Pete Prisco

Join us for live 2024 NFL Draft analysis from CBS Sports and an updating NFL Draft tracker. Also check out Pete Prisco's NFL Draft grades for every first-round pick and subscribe to the "With the First Pick" podcast for nightly recaps, winners and losers and more from Detroit.

Fantasy football outlook

Analysis to come

Dynasty spin

Analysis to come

Michael Penix Jr. NFL Draft prospect profile

Michael Penix Jr.

ATL • QB • #9

View Profile

Age as of Week 1: 24 years old
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 218
Hand size: 10 1/2 inches

Comparable body type: Jimmy Garoppolo

CBS Sports prospect ranking

Position: No. 5 QB | Overall: No. 30 | Rating: 88.43 (High-level starter)

NFL comparison: Jordan Love

Penix has a lot of traits that we could compare to many players, but I felt like if we remove the injury concerns he is closest to Jordan Love. Both have good arm strength, both aren't afraid of pass rush pressure, both will challenge downfield, both fully trust their receivers in tight coverage and both have good mobility without having to often rely on rushing. Love needed time to learn how to go through his reads and process defensive coverage; Penix might be ahead of where Love was when he was a draft prospect. Hopefully both can ultimately overcome their high off-target throwing rates (Love did make progress in that area this season).

Scouting report

NFL decision-makers have a wide array of opinions on Michael Penix Jr.'s abilities; some like him in Round 1, while others think he's a Day 3 target. It's hard to argue that he's the best deep ball thrower in this draft class, and he arrives in the league with a ton of experience.

Accolades