The No. 8 decide within the 2024 NFL Draft goes to be a legendary case examine in soccer historical past. As quickly because it leaked that Atlanta had been choosing Michael Penix Jr. it despatched shockwaves via the primary spherical, and left Falcons brass scrambling to justify why they had been taking a quarterback after signing Kirk Cousins to a 4-year, $180M deal in free company.
At greatest it was a choice made with hubris. At worst a workforce in dire want of defensive assist determined to flush a Prime 10 decide down the bathroom for no motive in any respect. The unlucky facet impact is that none of this was Penix Jr’s fault, and now he might have to attend so long as 5 years earlier than he ever sees the sector in a significant capability, all whereas the soccer world is laughing at his choice.
We have to take a deep dive into simply how weird this decide actually was, as a result of all the weather that made up this choice are fascinatingly bizarre.
Kirk Cousins was blindsided by the decide
Cousins took a really actual, important danger by signing with the Falcons. The protected, predictable transfer was to remain in Minnesota, with offensive weapons he is aware of he can win with, and hope {that a} full, injury-free season paired with the Brian Flores protection may put them again on the trail to rivalry.
A significant a part of the choice to maneuver to Atlanta was cash, however that doesn’t imply there wasn’t danger right here too. The very fact is: Cousins took a leap of religion to attempt to flip round a floundering workforce determined to be in win-now mode, and was rewarded by being shocked that the workforce would take his eventual substitute.
There was at all times an expectation the Falcons would take a QB sooner or later throughout the Cousins’ tenure — however not in yr one. Particularly not in yr one, whereas realizing they’re going to lose at the least one prime decide for tampering with Cousins when the NFL fingers down its punishment after the draft.
Falcons brass try to place lipstick on this pig, and solely making it worse
It’s one factor to take Penix as a part of a lofty future plan, however one other completely to confess he won’t see the sector till he’s 28-years-old, whereas performing like “really, that’s a very good factor.”
Fontenot on Penix: If he sits for 4 or 5 years, that’s an incredible drawback to have as a result of we’re doing so effectively at that place. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) April 26, 2024
Their argument is actually: “We’re going to be profitable a lot this decide gained’t even matter!” which is a extremely daring method if you haven’t gained something but. This isn’t the Packers taking Jordan Love at No. 24 with Aaron Rodgers because the starter. It’s a workforce hoping they will develop into a playoff staple, and utilizing their draft picks like they’re already arrived when there are main holes that must be addressed.
The very best case situation is that the Falcons cook dinner for 2-3 years, then have a seamless QB transition plan. The worst case is that this all explodes and everyone seems to be fired.
The Falcons didn’t even work out Penix earlier than the draft
Maybe the wildest a part of this complete decide is that regardless of professing their love for Penix, and beginning of their post-draft presser that he was “too good to cross up,” there’s not numerous proof the Falcons actually scouted him absolutely.
Michael Penix Jr. didn’t take a top-30 go to to Flowery Department. The Falcons solely attended a forty five minute exercise and met with him on the Mix.
It’s nearly extraordinary for a QB taken within the 1st to NOT be on a groups top-30.
Ultimately, ATL felt snug with the work they did.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 26, 2024
Maybe this was a galaxy mind, 4D chess transfer to make sure no one within the league knew the Falcons had been planning on taking Penix, however there comes some extent the place the act of subterfuge can’t come on the expense of being a wise soccer group. Whereas it’s doable you possibly can be taught sufficient a few prospect off movie and a brief assembly alone, we are able to say that unequivocally that the Falcons did a lot much less draft prep on Penix than the typical workforce does with a primary spherical quarterback.
That is all concerning the decide, and never the participant
We might be wildly vital of how and why the Falcons did this with out dragging Michael Penix. Sure, there’s some concern about his sturdiness along with his historical past of accidents — however when wholesome he’s an outstanding passer worthy of a primary spherical decide.
The problem is solely reconciling that with a situation the place he gained’t see an NFL subject for years. Penix is likely one of the extra NFL-ready quarterbacks on this class, and but he’ll be compelled to trip the bench for years, like he’s somebody who must be utterly overhauled.
These are all of the components in one of many weirdest picks in latest reminiscence. One which didn’t make any sense, was questionable in its forethought, and it’s execution. It gained’t doom the Falcons even when this was a large miss, however not getting an affect participant proper now hurts their capacity to win within the fast future.
