The Atlanta Falcons produced the largest shock of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night time as they chose quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth total choose – however why?
Penix guided the Washington Huskies to the Faculty Nationwide Championship throughout his closing 12 months at school, however lands in Atlanta little over a month because the Falcons made Kirk Cousins their new beginning quarterback by signing him to a four-year, $180m contract throughout free company.
Having been tipped to deal with their go rush early within the first spherical, the Falcons as an alternative sought an obvious contingency plan for Cousins.
Talking on a Draft version of Contained in the Huddle, Sky Sports activities NFL professional Jeff Reinebold questioned the choice.
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Jeff Reinebold and Phoebe Schecter talk about the Atlanta Falcons’ shock determination to select quarterback Michael Penix, when the have already got Kirk Cousins
“I used to be stunned, Penix was my fourth-rated quarterback, however I did not assume he would go at eighth,” mentioned Reinebold. “They have to clearly have a succession plan for what is going on to occur after Kirk Cousins, however the truth they did not notify Kirk Cousins they’d draft this man is a fake pas in my eyes.
“These are extraordinarily aggressive, massive ego-driven guys and so they’re the face of the franchise.
“You bear in mind the robust scenario in Inexperienced Bay with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, it has been this fashion various locations, you must pay respect to your starter.
“I believe Penix is a superb participant, in case you discuss him being the longer term, the difficulty is he is 23-years-old and has had four-season ending accidents in his profession.”
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Jeff Reinebold thinks the Arizona Cardinals have discovered themselves a ‘actual dude’ in Marvin Harrison Jr and the followers ought to be ‘ecstatic’ with the fourth choose within the draft
At 23, Penix is usually older than most rookie quarterbacks that enter the NFL and is poised to spend a number of years sitting behind the famously-durable Cousins, who was introduced in to information one of many league’s most gifted talent place teams in direction of rivalry.
“Kirk is very aggressive, he may play three or 4 extra years and then you definitely go to a 26/27-year-old quarterback as your succession plan,” Reinebold continued. “If he was J.J. McCarthy who’s 21, you could possibly see it, however I do not see it, despite the fact that I like Michael Penix.
With Cousins and a talent-rich receiver room in place, the Falcons had appeared primed to strengthen a protection missing recognised go rushers on the prime of the Draft. They did, nevertheless, welcome Clemson defensive deal with Ruke Orhorhoro and Washington defensive finish Bralen Trice on day two.
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The Contained in the Huddle workforce replicate on a really pro-offensive first spherical of the 2024 draft
Penix led Washington to a 14-1 document in 2023 whereas finishing 363 of 555 passes for a nation-high 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns to 11 interceptions on his solution to ending second in Heisman Trophy voting and successful the Maxwell Award recognising the Faculty Soccer Participant of the 12 months.
“I had him rated earlier than J.J. McCarthy and earlier than Bo Nix, no one within the Draft throws the deep ball in addition to he does,” mentioned Reinebold. “Will that be Atlanta’s offense? Will they be a deep ball offense?
“He isn’t an out-of-the-pocket participant, he is not a man that may create out the pocket. If you may get to him he does not operate nicely when he has to improvise.
“All you must do is watch Rome Odunze’s movie, his ball-placement on deep balls is unbelievable.”
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The Contained in the Huddle workforce talk about which 2024 draft quarterback has the very best prospects forward of the brand new season
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