The 2024 NFL draft is slowly approaching as we’re a little over 20 days from the start of one of the biggest days in the sport. Many teams will have a chance to draft who they believe will be a game-changer and change the trajectory of their team forever.
This draft class is loaded with talent, especially in the quarterback position. Many QBs will be selected within the top five alone, like USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels, to name a few. However, things could always change on the days leading up to or on the day of. One quarterback who could climb up the draft board is Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. Penix is projected to be the first-round draft pick, and it could be just outside of the top ten.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Penix will meet with two NFL teams, and four others will have their eye on the southpaw.
Penix is one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in this year’s class. He’s coming off an incredible 2023 season in the Pacific Northwest. Penix was named a first-team American and led the Huskies to the College Football Playoff National Championship game. He led the FBS in passing yards with 4,903, completions (60), and passing touchdowns of 25+ air yards over the last two seasons (26).
Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Penix Jr. could be taken just outside the top… Michael Penix #QB08 of Washington participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at the Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Penix Jr. could be taken just outside the top ten in the NFL draft.
Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
While he has all the tools to be a great quarterback and could arguably be the best quarterback in the draft, his injury history is a concern. It’s a big reason he is not in many experts’ top ten boards. He tore his right ACL twice and suffered a couple of shoulder injuries. Regardless, teams have him on their radar, and he’s showing he’s more than capable of leading a franchise to the next level. Schultz shared via X what the 23-year-old is doing to prepare for the NFL.
Was sent this picture yesterday after speaking on @TheHerd about how dialed in Michael Penix Jr. is.
Was told Penix’s apartment mirrors are all covered in play designs. Here’s a picture the staff took when he moved out of his LA apartment. pic.twitter.com/2xF3V15TaS
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 2, 2024
Penix may not be in the top ten, but he could be just outside of it. The Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos are two AFC West teams to keep an eye on. Both need a quarterback, and both hold a pick outside the top ten. The Broncos have the 12th overall pick, and the Raiders hold the number 13th pick.
He has a strong arm and can throw a deep ball without any effort. He also has shown elite field generalship, routinely identifying mismatches and exploiting secondary weakness with rapid progression reads. Penix’s IQ is next level; if he can remain healthy, he could be considered one of the best quarterbacks in this upcoming draft.
Uncommon Knowledge
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