Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. confident, eager to start career
Fri Apr 26 5:57pm ET
Field Level Media
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whose selection by the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday stunned many draft experts, smiled through most of his introductory news conference Friday in Atlanta.
"A dream came true," the former University of Washington star said. "It's a dream I've had since I was a little kid. ... It's a special moment and something I will forever remember."
Penix's excitement far overshadowed any concern over his position in the draft.
"I'm here to do whatever I can to help this team win football games," he said. "As far as what anybody else feels about the decision that was made, I have no control over that. All I can control is what I do and what I bring to this team.
"For me I know that I'm gonna be a great leader not just on, but off the field as well. I'm gonna be a great person and great teammate as well."
As amicable as he seemed Friday, it was clear Penix has no shortage of confidence.
"Personally, I feel like I'm the best quarterback out of the draft," he said. "I'm excited that I landed here and I'm excited to get started."
He was repeatedly asked whether he had any problem with the Falcons' succession plan, with Penix sitting behind No. 1 quarterback Kirk Cousins.
"I'm going to put in a ton of work," he said. "There's not going to be a beat missed. ... You got to be ready. I'm gonna prepare, I'm gonna work just as (if) I'm the starter."
The Falcons recently signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, and the veteran QB was "confused" about the selection but reached out to Penix.
"Kirk he's an amazing guy," Penix said, adding that Cousins contacted him after the pick was made but wouldn't divulge details of their conversation.
"I'm gonna keep it between me and him right now but it was definitely a good conversation, and I'm super excited to work with him -- and he said he's the same with me."
Penix, the fourth quarterback drafted Thursday night out of a record-tying six first-round QB picks, led the Huskies to last season's national championship game where they were beaten by the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan's quarterback, JJ McCarthy, was selected 10th by the Minnesota Vikings and Oregon's Bo Nix went 12th to the Denver Broncos.
The draft's first three picks were quarterbacks: USC's Caleb Williams (to the Bears), LSU's Jayden Daniels (Commanders) and North Carolina's Drake Maye (Patriots).
Penix was asked about comparisons with another Falcons left-handed signal-caller, Michael Vick, and said Vick was his favorite quarterback growing up.
"He did great things here, obviously," Penix said. "I keep in contact with him. He's been a guy that I can reach out to whenever. He actually sent me a text congratulating me this morning."
Penix said a recent visit to Seattle by the Atlanta coaches to see him throw apparently cemented their belief.
"It's different whenever you see it up close, in person," he said. "I feel like I did a very good job in the workout. ...
"I feel like the offense is very good for me. ... I felt very comfortable and confident with all of it."
-Field Level Media
- Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. confident, eager to start career
- Chiefs: Speedster WR worthy of early draft pick
- Bills, Patriots bidding on 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
- Panthers picking up CB Jaycee Horn's option
- Super Bowl holiday? Roger Goodell talks 18-game season, Presidents' Day title game
- Bears' Caleb Williams breaks Caitlin Clark's merch sales record
- Ex-NFL lineman Korey Cunningham found dead
- Eagles' inside intel aided selection of Toledo CB in first round
- 2024 NFL Draft: Best available entering second round
- Winners, losers in first round of 2024 NFL Draft
- Falcons pick QB Michael Penix Jr. despite Kirk Cousins signing
- Vikings make first trade of draft to take QB J.J. McCarthy
- Eagles WR A.J. Brown lands 3-year, $96M extension
- Caleb Williams joins Bears as QBs go 1-2-3 at NFL draft
- Bears take QB Caleb Williams No. 1 in NFL draft
- Man who killed ex-Saints DE Will Smith gets 25 years
- Caleb Williams already favored to win Offensive ROY
- Commanders to retire Darrell Green's No. 28
- Bears lay out controversial $5B stadium proposal
- Giants GM open to all 'possible scenarios' at No. 6
- Fantasy Six Pack: NFL Draft Updates – Live Chat
- Fantasy Six Pack: NFL Mock Draft – Post-Free Agency Edition
- Fantasy Six Pack: NFL Draft Big Board
The Paur Report
The San Francisco 49ers have listened to calls on All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel, but sources are saying that the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are considered highly unlikely to trade for him. After the first round of the 2024 NFL draft was completed on Thursday night, a report surfaced that the Niners were more likely to trade Samuel than Brandon Aiyuk. There has been a lot of trade talk around both Aiyuk and Samuel this offseason, and the Niners' first-round pick of receiver Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 on Thursday night made it look like a trade was more likely to happen. The Bills and Patriots have the first two picks in the second round, respectively, so if neither of them can pull off a trade for Samuel before Round 2 starts, they could both go with pass-catchers in what is a deep and talented class in 2024.
From RotoBaller
Former Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2024 NFL draft. Tennessee had a glaring need at left tackle, but Latham played on the right side for Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. However, Titans head coach Brian Callahan said Latham is eager to play on the left side and has the traits to do so. Tennessee had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season, but with Latham, second-year guard Peter Skoronski, and newly signed center Lloyd Cushenberry starting up front, the unit could be one of the biggest improvers in 2024. This bodes well for all of Tennessee's fantasy-relevant offensive skill players.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is seeking a reworked deal that includes more guaranteed money, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapaport. The 36-year-old has three years left on his current deal, though the Rams have a potential out following the 2025 season. The four-year contract that he signed ahead of the 2022 season included $130 million in total guarantees. The Super Bowl-winning QB has been present at voluntary workouts this offseason and a holdout does not appear to be imminent, but this is a situation worth monitoring. After posting nearly 4,000 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions en route to a playoff berth in 2023, Stafford believes he has plenty left in the tank.
From RotoBaller
Former Southern California and South Carolina running back MarShawn Lloyd is viewed as a top-five running back in the 2024 NFL Draft class, and NFL insider Tom Pelissero believes he could be the first ball carrier selected. The 23-year-old missed his entire freshman season at South Carolina with a torn ACL and handled just 196 touches for 1,021 yards and 12 total touchdowns over his next two seasons. He transferred to Southern Cal for the 2023 campaign and posted 820 rushing yards (7.1 YPC), 232 receiving yards (17.8 YPR), and nine total touchdowns. He turned heads at the 2024 NFL Combine with a 4.46 forty-yard dash time at 220 pounds, and in a weak running back draft class, that might have been enough to push him into the RB1 spot for some NFL squads.
From RotoBaller
Former Oklahoma and South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler was once viewed as a potential first-round pick after being a five-star recruit in the high-school class of 2019. His career did not go as expected, but he's thought to be the next-best quarterback on the board in the 2024 NFL draft. The first round saw six signal-callers selected in the top 12 picks, and any other teams looking to take a flyer on a quarterback likely have Rattler on their radar. The Around The NFL staff at NFL.com expects the 23-year-old to be selected in Round 3, but the run of quarterbacks on Day 1 could push him up to Round 2. Rattler threw for 10,807 yards, 77 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 48 games with the Sooners and Gamecocks.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers officially picked up the fifth-year option for standout cornerback Jaycee Horn on Friday, according to sources. Despite playing in only six games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury, Horn will have his fifth-year option picked up. The 24-year-old former eighth overall pick by Carolina in 2021 out of South Carolina had 27 tackles (20 solo) and five passes defensed in his six starts last season. He's only played in 22 games in his first three years in the league due to injuries, so picking up Horn's fifth-year option was far from a guarantee. In his three years in the NFL, Horn has produced 85 tackles (60 solo), four interceptions and 13 passes defensed in 22 starts. The Panthers are taking a bit of a gamble and are hoping the defensive back can avoid the injury bug moving forward.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills have interest in trading for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, according to league sources. Now that the first round of the 2024 NFL draft is in the books, Niners wideout Brandon Aiyuk is less likely to be traded than Samuel, who has a 2025 salary cap number over $20 million. Not only are the Bills extremely desperate for a receiver after trading Stefon Diggs and losing Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, but they acquired extra picks in this year's draft by trading down twice late in the first round on Thursday night. A move to Buffalo would immediately make Samuel the team's top wideout for Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen and allow him to retain plenty of fantasy value given his after-the-catch abilities. Stay tuned.
From RotoBaller
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who was taken third overall in this year's NFL draft by the New England Patriots on Thursday night, will initially compete with veteran Jacoby Brissett for the starting job in 2024. The Patriots also have former fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke on their QB depth chart. "To go back to Bill [Belichick's philosophy], I don't think many rookies are ready to just jump in and play," first-year head coach Jerod Mayo said. "At the end of the day, our philosophy is the best players will play. We will compete and the best player will start." The 21-year-old started 26 games over the last two years for the Tar Heels and threw for 8,018 yards, 63 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Maye was more productive in 2022 and has plenty to work on. Meanwhile, he has a pretty weak supporting cast in the receiver room, so fantasy managers taking the leap on him in dynasty/keeper leagues will want to be patient.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said former Texas running back Jonathon Brooks had the best pre-draft interview of any young prospect Jones has spoken to in 30 years. "We got him high, high (on our board). He's a good player," Jones said. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are getting close to a reunion with running back Ezekiel Elliott. The team's top RBs right now are Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn after Tony Pollard left in free agency this offseason, so Dallas is definitely looking to add to the position in both free agency and the draft. Brooks could come off the board at No. 56 overall to the Cowboys and could be in line to see a substantial backfield role in his first year in the NFL if he were to land in Dallas. At this point in his career, Zeke is merely a complementary weapon. The biggest question mark with Brooks is that he's coming off a torn ACL.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills traded down twice on Thursday night to drop out of the first round of the NFL draft and now hold the 33rd pick, the first selection in the second round. There are a few players they really like who are under consideration, but they've already received calls from teams considering trading up. After trading down twice on Thursday night, the Bills moved up 38 spots in the later rounds with their first trade and 59 spots with their second swap. Buffalo was criticized heavily for trading back twice late in the first round, only to see both the Chiefs and Panthers take receivers with those picks. The Bills are desperately in need of receiving help after trading Stefon Diggs and losing Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, but they could still select one they are high on at No. 33 overall.
From RotoBaller
The New England Patriots had preliminary trade discussions on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel prior to the start of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, according to a source. Niners receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been in trade talks all offseason, but Samuel's name has surfaced of late, and a report on Thursday night suggested he's now more likely to be dealt by San Fran than Aiyuk. The 49ers also took wideout Ricky Pearsall with their first-round pick (31st overall) on Thursday night, suggesting they could be beefing up their receiver room in the event they trade one of Samuel or Aiyuk. The Patriots are desperate to add a receiver, especially after taking rookie quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the first round. Samuel's fantasy stock would take a big hit if he were to move to New England.
From RotoBaller
The Dallas Cowboys could draft a running back on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft on Friday night with one of their three picks, but that choice won't change the expectation that free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott will return to Dallas' backfield in 2024 to complement and help mentor a rookie. Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken is reporting that Elliott's signing with the Cowboys is increasingly imminent. Elliott's agent met with Dallas on Wednesday, and the Cowboys have been connected with the 28-year-old RB throughout the offseason. The Cowboys lost Tony Pollard to free agency this offseason but have Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn. If Elliott were to return to Big D, he'll be in a complementary role and will be an RB3/flex, at best, in fantasy after putting up a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in 2023 with New England.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Carolina Panthers selected wide receiver Xavier Legette with the final pick of round one in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: The Carolina Panthers moved up and secured the final pick of round one to draft Legette 32nd overall. It's a tricky landing spot for his value as he'll have an immediate chance for playing time but also a project being paired with a quarterback who has a whole lot of question marks moving forward. Legette looks like a boom or bust rookie draft pick who will likely go in round two of most rookie drafts moving forward.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson requested a trade on Wednesday, according to his agent, Harold Lewis, as he seeks more long-term security after the two sides settled on a one-year extension last year worth $21 million. However, a source said that the Bengals are not interested in trading Hendrickson. It's not surprise that Hendrickson is looking for a new deal after posting a career-high 17.5 sacks, which was second in the NFL behind Pittsburgh's T.J. Watt. It was the highest total for a Bengals player since sacks became a statistic in 1982. He also finished 11th in pass-rush win rate as an edge rusher and created the second-most sacks (18) in the league. Contract issues aside, Hendrickson is going to be a very coveted defensive lineman in IDP fantasy formats this fall after his big 2023 campaign.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers are "more likely" to trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel than Brandon Aiyuk during this year's 2024 NFL draft, according to a source. Aiyuk's name has been mentioned in trade rumors all offseason, but now Samuel is the more likely pass-catcher to be dealt. Samuel, 28, is two years older than Aiyuk but has more versatility in the offense. However, Samuel also has a salary cap hit north of $20 million in 2025. Aiyuk is looking for a new long-term deal as he heads into the fifth and final contract of his rookie deal, but the Niners have been hesitant to give him a market deal given their other financial commitments. San Francisco took rookie pass-catcher Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick in the first round on Thursday night, potentially foreshadowing a trade of either Samuel or Aiyuk in the coming days.
From RotoBaller
In recent weeks, both the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings reached out to the Los Angeles Chargers to see if they had any interest in trading quarterback Justin Herbert, according to league sources. The answer they got very quickly was "a flat no." Not only do the Chargers love Herbert, but they also would have had to take on a $63.5 million salary cap charge in 2024 at a time they have $32.3 million of cap space. Meanwhile, the Patriots took QB Drake Maye third overall and the Vikings took QB J.J. McCarthy 11th overall in the first round of this year's NFL draft. There's still a lot to like about the 26-year-old Herbert, but it's hard to ignore the fact that he lost Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason and is now in a run-first offense under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Chicago Bears drafted USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: As expected. The Bears made this all but a certainty when they traded Justin Fields to the Steelers earlier this off-season. Williams will immediately take over the franchise and will be in a unique situation as a rookie starter with an offense that isn't exactly lacking talent. The likes of Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and D'Andre Swift should be enough to keep his dynasty value high even as he learns the position. Williams should be immediately installed as a low-end QB1 and an easy pick at the top of a Superflex league rookie draft.
Dynasty | The Washington Commanders selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: The Commanders decided to make Daniels the face of the franchise and took him with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It's hard to blame him as he put up video game numbers last season at LSU. It's difficult to see any other quarterback with a higher ceiling than Daniels has, though it's also evident there's a low floor here as well, especially considering his small frame. If he can prove his throwing ability can match his rushing talent, the sky is truly the limit, though. Daniels could find his way to the top of Superflex rookie drafts and is an easy early second rounder in conventional rookie drafts this off-season as well.
Dynasty | The New England Patriots drafted UNC quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: The Patriots have hit the reset button with the first pick in the post-Bill Belichick era and took Maye with the third overall selection. He should have a solid chance to take over as the starter immediately and be given every opportunity to succeed. However, there are concerns here as Maye will not exactly be given a roster full of elite talent. Maye is in danger of some really serious adversity early in his career and may need to work through it. Regardless, Maye looks like a solid Superflex pick and a second rounder in conventional formats.
Dynasty | The Arizona Cardinals drafted Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: The Cardinals decided to stand pat in the draft and took Harrison with the fourth overall selection. He should immediately take over as the top option for Kyler Murray in the desert and is in place to immediately become a big factor in dynasty leagues. Simply put, Harrison has the talent, pedigree and skill set to be an immediate WR1 and should be the top overall position player taken in rookie drafts this off-season.
