By DJ Harding –
Heading into the NFL Draft most experts and Falcons fans alike assumed with the offseason signing of Kirk Cousins to a massive four year 180 million dollar deal that Atlanta would get some offense insurance.
But to the surprise of almost everyone the Falcons decided to go quarterback drafting Michael Penix Jr from the University of Washington. This even came to the surprise of Penix who later said to the media “I had no idea” but then followed it up with “Everything happens for a reason.”
Penix was one of six quarterbacks selected drafted in the first twelve picks which tied the record for most quarterbacks drafted in the first round joining the 1983 draft. Of those six quarterbacks five of them went in the top 10 including Penix at eighth overall which happened for the first time ever in NFL Draft History.
Penix also saw his teammate Rome Odunze drafted the selection after him making them one of the first schools to have a quarterback receiver duo drafted in the top 10 in the common draft era. Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers of LSU who were drafted second overall and sixth were joined by Penix and Odunze of the University of Washington.
Despite the looming quarterback controversy between Penix and Cousins, Penix understands the dynamic in the quarterback room saying “I’m gonna come in and I’m gonna learn from Cousins. He’s been in the league for a while and there’s a reason behind that. I want to be able to soak in as much knowledge as I can.”
Penix is no stranger to waiting catching the injury bug in college and having to transfer a few times before getting his big moment in the National Championship this previous season with the Washington Huskies
The eighth overall selection is excited to get to Atlanta saying to the media “I feel like that’s what it’s all about and I feel like there’s definitely something special going on over there in Atlanta. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Sports Insider Daily 