Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. wants to show how 'very unique' talents set him apart from rest of 2024 NFL Draft QBs

The Atlanta Falcons made perhaps the most shocking move not only in the 2024 NFL Draft, but in recent NFL Draft history, when they selected Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick.

The move came just weeks after the team signed veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins to a $180 million contract.

It's obvious the Falcons did -- and quite trusted -- their homework in a way that was very different from the rest of the NFL, considering that Penix was ranked on most big boards in the ballpark of the No. 30 overall prospect.

The decision was largely met with confusion and received an abundance of criticism from analysts, but could work out in the Falcons' favor in the long-term if Penix indeed pans out.

Here's what to know about Penix's fit in Atlanta as the team looks to prove everyone wrong with their unorthodox decision to draft the Washington product so highly.

How Michael Penix Jr. fits with the Atlanta Falcons

While time will only tell if the Falcons made the right decision here, i.e. if Penix becomes a multi-year NFL starter who taps his high ceiling, he could end up in one of the best overall situations among first-round prospects. What that means is that the Falcons clearly felt strongly positive enough about him to take him off the board at least 20 spots higher than most had him pinned.

If Penix can make a strong impression, he's got a team clearly confident in what he can do for them for a long period of time.

Penix is also expected to have the opportunity to hold the clipboard behind a seasoned veteran who can help him transition. That's something that while simple, can be incredibly important for quarterback development and overall NFL career success. The opportunity for even a highly rated pick to sit at the No. 2 spot was more common before today's era of football that seems to embody a desire for instant gratification at quarterback, but is rarely afforded to those drafted as early as Penix was.

Penix also comes into an environment of a team ready to win offensively with a strong supporting cast that includes a stout offensive line and weapons like running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. 

What the Falcons' offense looks like moving forward, with Zac Robinson named the offensive coordinator in January, will be something to watch. But the fact the Rams threw the ball 54.7% of the time on early downs with Robinson serves as an indication the scheme will be geared toward the pass.

That bodes well for a player like Penix, who is largely a pocket passer.

What Michael Penix Jr. brings to the table at the next level

Penix won the Maxwell Award for the 2023 season, presented annually to the nation's best college football player, and was also a Heisman Trophy finalist as he led his team to a national title game appearance.

The Huskies ultimately fell 34-13 to Michigan as Penix struggled, fighting through injury. Penix finished out that game 27-of-51 passing for 255 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He ended off the season with a 65.4% completion rate, passing for some 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

"It's amazing," Penix said of what he and the Huskies were able to do last season. "Obviously, we wish we could have won the national championship, but we definitely accomplished a lot of great things."

I'm super proud of my team at University of Washington and everything that we were able to accomplish and go through. Even whenever things weren't always pretty, or whenever the odds weren't in our favor, we still continued to fight and push. And we did a great job with that."

From a scouting perspective, Penix brings all the arm strength to be desired with a quick release, also presenting high velocity throws that are better than just about anyone else in the draft class in that particular area. But he has struggled with consistency in mechanics, throwing with anticipation, timing and on intermediate throws in general.

There's a lot to like with plenty of raw tools and potential that could all come together nicely with adequate development.

When I spoke with Penix at the Senior Bowl in the pre-draft process, he noted tuning up mechanics as something he was working on and had seen results within. He says he's been spending time working with John Beck of 3D QB to enhance his game and grow as a player.

"I feel like I definitely have progressed on my mechanics," Penix said. But I need to continue to improve in my development and just my knowledge of the game. Obviously, the game, it gets harder as you continue to move up levels. I just want to continue to just show that I'm ready to compete and ready to, to go out there and make an impact."

Penix is confident in what he brings to his new team at the next level, noting first what he most prides himself on intangibly. That's leadership ability.

"Leadership. I feel like I have great leadership skills," Penix said. "I have great command and presence. Whenever I step out on the field, and whenever I'm stepping in meeting rooms, I feel like the way I carry myself each and every day in every situation possible, I do it like a professional."

Tangibly, Penix feels he has a simply different type of arm talent that he prides himself on just about more than anything else.

"My best quality as a player is to make any throw on the field. You know, I feel like my arm talent is very unique. I feel like I can do I can make anything happen, that's the biggest thing."

But he's also looking forward to showing people the other things in his "wheelhouse", if you will.

"I can run. People don't see me run much, so I feel like they don't know. I can run, and they'll find out here soon."