The pick is in! With the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft the Atlanta Falcons selected Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. The move came as a shock as the team has glaring needs at defensive end, cornerback, and secondary depth.
Penix, however, proved to be one of the best quarterbacks in college football during his time at Washington.
Penix Jr. threw for an impressive 4,900 passing yards and 36 touchdowns in 2023, becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist. He showed poise and confidence as a true passer, but stumbled in the national title game versus Michigan and appeared to be thrown off his game.
He will now be able to sit and learn behind Kirk Cousins, who the team paid $100-million guaranteed this offseason.
The team presumably will now pivot to defense with their next several picks. The glaring needs combined with lack of cap space make it all but a lock the team will pursue several defenders in the next several rounds.