The surprise of Thursday's first round of the 2024 NFL draft came from the Atlanta Falcons when they selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick despite signing veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million this offseason, but general manager Terry Fontenot had a long-term plan.

"We do something else right here, and then we win for the next few seasons and then Kirk decides to hang up the cleats, whenever that is, then Michael Penix is somewhere playing at a really high level and we're in quarterback purgatory, we don't have a quarterback," Fontenot said, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

"We knew in our heart if we had a lot of people in the building that loved him and expected him to be that player, and he's somewhere else, then that's unforgivable."

It's clear the Falcons liked Penix, and there is something to be said about long-term security at the most important position. That is especially the case since Cousins will turn 36 years old before the start of the 2024 season and is coming off a significant Achilles injury.

Still, Atlanta has playoff expectations for the upcoming campaign and could have either used that pick on someone who could provide immediate help or trade back and perhaps still land Penix in the draft.

It could have also drafted another quarterback years from now when Cousins was no longer under a long-term deal.

Yet Fontenot didn't seem too worried about that when he previously told reporters, "If you believe in a quarterback, you have to take him. And if he sits for four or five years, that's a great problem to have because we're doing so well at that position. So, it's as simple as, if you see a guy you believe in at that position, you have to take him."

It was a risky pick, though, as Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, told ESPN's Pete Thamel there was some frustration from the veteran's perspective since he did not know the team would use such an early pick with an eye on the long-term future instead of improving its 2024 chances.

At least he doesn't have to worry about his job security.

"Kirk does not have to look over his shoulder every time he throws a bad pass," head coach Raheem Morris told reporters. "That is not the case. I am sure I'm going to have to tell you guys (in the media) that a few times—that is not the case."

It was an interesting approach to the draft to say the least from the Falcons, and it could take years for it to potentially pay off for the franchise.