Michael Penix Jr. listed near the bottom of ESPN QB prospects rankings
The
NFL draft is always more exciting when it contains a few blue-chip quarterback prospects at the top. In 2024, we saw an unprecedented run of six quarterbacks selected within the first 12 picks. The
Atlanta Falcons shocked the rest of the league by drafting
Michael Penix Jr . with the No. 8 pick. While many criticized the selection at the time, Penix has quieted his doubters by injecting life into the Falcons offense late in the season. The
2025 class isn't as top-heavy at the quarterback position, but both Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward are projected top-five picks. ESPN's Matt Miller released a
pre-draft ranking compilation of the top quarterbacks from the last five draft classes.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams was the highest-rated prospect in
ESPN's pre-draft rankings . Trevor Lawrence of the
Jacksonville Jaguars was second while
Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow was ranked third. Penix was ranked 19th out of 21 total prospects listed, one spot ahead of Shedeur Sanders. "The biggest surprise of the 2024 first round by far was where Penix was selected and who took him,"
wrote Miller . "The Falcons loved his deep ball and development at Washington following three seasons at Indiana. Penix was red-hot to end his college career, throwing 67 touchdown passes to just 19 interceptions in his final two seasons." Keep in mind, ESPN's rankings don't account for how players fare once they are in the NFL. Otherwise, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels wouldn't be ranked behind Williams, and Penix would likely be higher on the list. Miller also highlights the pre-draft injury and age concerns Penix had coming out of Washington. "He led Washington to the Pac-12 title and the national title game in 2023 after an undefeated regular season," Miller explained. "Penix's stock would have been higher, but there were concerns about him having four straight season-ending injuries and his age (24). The plan was to sit him behind veteran Kirk Cousins in 2024, but Penix ultimately played five games, starting three, as a rookie." When Penix took over, we immediately saw the big-play ability he routinely showed in college. While he could still look to improve on his completion percentage, Penix was pushing the ball downfield instead of dinking and dunking. It will be interesting to see what the Falcons quarterback can do with a full offseason to prepare as the starter.
