The runup to the 2024 NFL Draft has been a rollercoaster for Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Initially viewed in the second tier of top draft-eligible passers alongside Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Penix has dipped in and out of the first round in mock drafts over the past several weeks, while McCarthy has skyrocketed into the top tier. Now, at this point in time, OutKick’s Armando Salguero tells us that at least three teams have Penix on their board with a first-round value. 
Initially, there were concerns about Penix’s history with injury issues, as detailed in his recent Prospect Profile. His four season-ending injuries in as many years at Indiana had many uneasy about his health at the next level. After getting cleared in medical evaluations, Penix will be able to get most teams to look past his injury-history, though some may still hold on to their reservations.
As for which three teams have him slotted as a first-rounder, it’s difficult to say for sure. Penix has scheduled several different “top 30” visits over the last week. He’s set to meet with the Giants, Falcons, Raiders, Broncos, Steelers, Vikings, and Commanders, while the Seahawks have been mentioned as a team of interest, as well. The Commanders can probably be taken out of the mix. Even if they have a first-round grade on Penix, they are seemingly set to draft one of the top-tier passers at No. 2 overall.
The Falcons are an interesting team to watch after they sent “a sizable group to Seattle to conduct a private workout with” Penix today, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. It’s hard to see them as one of the teams with a first-round grade on the 23-year-old, though, as they just signed Kirk Cousins to a big contract to start for them at quarterback.
Instead look to teams like the Raiders, who have been mocked to draft Penix on multiple occasions. Despite the team’s aggressive efforts to move into the top three draft picks, Las Vegas doesn’t seem to have the capital to make it happen. Those efforts show their desire to draft a quarterback, though, and if they’re stuck at 13th overall, they may have to settle for Penix.
With most mock drafts predicting a run of four passers in the first four picks, it only takes one or two more teams in the remaining 28 picks to pull the trigger on Penix or Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. With plenty of teams needing help at the position, Penix could join the ranks as one of up to five or six first-round quarterbacks.
A lot of gms wouldn’t touch penix with a ten foot pole but I just think they need to be a little more open minded
I would be a GM that wouldn’t
I would consider him if I were a GM.
I would consider him if I were a GM, but I wouldn’t poke him with a 10 foot pole either.
Not terribly high on Penix, but I’d bet he’s better than at least two of the QBs taken in the 1st. For a team without an immediate need at QB, he’s a good guy to take a look at (Thinking NO, TB, SEA off the top of my head).
Penix needs a coordinator who will stroke his ego. Whoever it is they’ll need to erect an entirely new playbook for him and his skillset.
Saints 2Rd pick
Not a thing wrong with being a second round pick 🙂
Probably want to move up to end of 1st to get that 5 year option
Kind of old to be a top tier pick. Not knocking him, just saying. But dude is about to be 24… probably not more than a 2nd or MAYBE a 3rd round pick.
He’s 6 months older than Jayden Daniels. Should he drop to 2nd or 3rd round?
You’re delusional if you think he would be a 3rd round pick. He has the arm talent teams dream about. And 24 isn’t old
I think that he’s being sarcastic.
Age doesn’t, or shouldn’t, matter for QBs in today’s league. Flacco just won Comeback Player of the Year at 39, even though he’s a backup. Rodgers is preparing to start at 40. Neither had a starting season last year, but they’re still playing at that age. Rodgers won an MVP at 38, and looking back recently, Roethlisberger went to the playoffs and Brady won a Superbowl. Now, Penix would have to do A LOT of work to catch those guys, but quarterbacks are at least able to play into their 30s. Cousins just got another big contract, after what may the most significant type of injury one could suffer. I don’t think that Penix’s age should be an issue, and he runs far less often than, say, Daniels does (who is likely to go higher).
The issue with Penix I think is the injury history. It’s…well, very long with some major injuries on it. That right ACL is I think a huge, huge red flag for scouts. Tearing once is bad enough, but a second tear is very concerning. I feel badly for Penix that he had to go through that rehab twice on that leg, personally. Also personally I like his play on the field when compared to the top tier quarterbacks; at the very least, he seems that he could hang with them. His downfield throwing is very good, and he is decisive on the field. But that injury history is quite significant, and that may move him to the back of the top tier prospects.
I doubt age is too much of a concern for qb’s among gm’s since you can barely hit them anymore. The good ones will be playing through their mid-thirties.
Is age really a factor?
Considering that you only have a QB for 5 years before he gets really expensive, having him from age 24-28 doesn’t sound like a disadvantage.
In addition, the fact that he is older might mean less break-in time. Someone like McCarthy could burn two of his control years learning how to play, while Penix might be starting after 4 ganes.
Unless he is sitting at 16 in first round don’t think Seahawks can get him without some trade moves. No second round pick right now. Be great kee him in Seatle but other team areas in need also.
Seattl we shoulda held on to Drew Lock… guy steadily was improving. He should have been their long term answer
I would be ok with the Vikings staying at 11 and picking him. I think with his downfield throwing ability, Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson, Aaron Jones. Could be fun to watch. They also have 23 and could use that for another receiver or defense.
I think that that could be a good pick. Darnold is a reliable veteran backup, or should be, which would be the hangup with drafting a player with Penix’s injury history. But in terms of on field ability, I think that he could potentially mesh with the Vikings’ weapons.
I don’t want any Penis on my Vikings!