Michael Penix Jr. Being Drafted by Falcons Stuns NFL Fans After Kirk Cousins Contract | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
David Craig The Atlanta Falcons were the first team to make a surprising selection in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft Thursday night.
The Falcons used the No. 8 pick to draft Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., one month after signing veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract.
B/R Gridiron @brgridironKyle Pitts' live reaction to the Michael Penix stunner 🤯 <a href="">
Pete Thamel @PeteThamelFirst shocker of the night. Michael Penix led the nation in passing for two consecutive years. Ball just explodes out of his hand. Credit to Penix, who played in Senior Bowl and crushed the process to overcome injury concerns.
Ian Rapoport @RapSheetThe <a href="">#Falcons</a> make the No. 8 overall pick and take Michael Penix Jr!! It's all about succession for the QB...
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterAtlanta: Michael Penix.<br>Raheem Morris loved him.
Cousins is coming off Achilles surgery, but he's expected to be the Falcons' starter this fall.
Penix was the Heisman runner-up in 2023 but suffered multiple season-ending injuries at Indiana early in his college career.
The selection stunned Falcons fans, many of whom were expecting Atlanta to use the top-10 pick in order to add help for Cousins.
Bill Barnwell @billbarnwellWow! Wow. Kirk Cousins has $100 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. Even if you get rid of him after 2025, Michael Penix will be 26 years old when he takes over in 2026.<br><br>Guess the Falcons thought Penix wasn't making it past the Vikings/Raiders/Broncos pick range. Wow!
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportFalcons fans after drafting Michael Penix Jr. <a href="">
Rotoworld Football @rotoworld_fbFalcons fans after Atlanta drafted Michael Penix Jr. <a href="">#NFLDraft</a> <a href="">
Big Game Bengal @BengalYouTubeMICHAEL PENIX AT 8 AFTER PAYING COUSINS<br>WHAT ARE YOU DOING
Nick Farabaugh @FarabaughFBI am still floored by that Penix pick. What in the world lol
Some speculated Penix, who was originally projected as a late first-round or early second-round selection, was equally surprised by the Falcons' decision.
Mike Golic Jr @mikegolicjrI love Michael Penix Jr… but drafting an older, injured college QB to best case scenario sit for a few years behind Kirk Cousins coming off an Achilles is high risk stuff.
Tom Fornelli @TomFornelliMichael Penix will be 28 when Kirk Cousins' contract expires.
The Falcons will now need to focus on finding help for their new quarterback duo later on in the draft, and could potentially consider a trade up to do so. Barring a deal, Atlanta won't come up on the board again until pick No. 43 in Round 2.
