ATLANTA — In a stunning move, the Atlanta Falcons selected University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with its first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night.
The Falcons used its No. 8 overall selection to take Penix Jr. despite signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason. ESPN rated Penix Jr. as the sixth-best quarterback in the draft class and the 46th-best prospect overall.
Penix Jr., who spent two seasons with the Huskies after transferring from Indiana, is coming off a career-best senior season in which he spearheaded one of the nation's highest octane offenses (36.0 points per game) in 2023. In his sixth year of collegiate eligibility, Penix Jr. led the entire country with 4,903 passing yards. The Huskies quarterback was third in Division 1 with 36 touchdowns in 2023.
As the catalyst for the Huskies' offense, Penix Jr. helped lead Washington to the National Championship Game. The Huskies fell 34-13 in the championship game as the nation's top-ranked defense limited Penix Jr. to one of his few games with fewer than two touchdowns.
ESPN's Steve Muench said Penix Jr. has "outstanding arm strength."
"Penix Jr. is a left-handed quarterback with outstanding arm strength who led the nation in passing yards per game each of the past two seasons," Muench said in his draft scouting report. "He reads safeties and recognizes opportunities to attack downfield. He can manipulate the coverage with his eyes. Penix missed significant time with injuries earlier in his career, raising concerns about his long-term durability, but he played in every game over the past two seasons."
Penix Jr's most prolific collegiate seasons happened with Washington, where he threw for over 9,000 yards in two seasons. Prior to joining the program, Penix Jr. struggled with long-term injuries in his four years with Indiana.
Penix Jr. was the first of three Huskies drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears drafted wide receiver Rome Odunze with the next pick (No. 9 overall) and the Steelers selected offensive lineman Troy Fautanu with the No. 20 pick.