Washington's Michael Penix Jr. is one of the most interesting quarterback prospects in this class. He's unlikely to finish in the top 10, and it doesn't look like he's set for the first round at this point. But Penix has the one trait that can turn a good quarterback into a great quarterback. That's the talent of his arm.
Penix was named a first-team All-American last season after leading the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national championship game. While Washington lost to Jim Harbaugh's Michigan Wolverines, Penix had a great 2023 season. He led the FBS in passing yards with 4,903 and led the FBS in completions of 25 or more air yards (60) and passing touchdowns (26) over the past two seasons.
The former Indiana Hoosier threw for 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions and was named one of the 2022 AP Comeback Player of the Year honorees. His injury history comes against the promising Penix, who has torn his right anterior cruciate ligament twice and has suffered several injuries to his shoulder. Scary on paper, but Penix clearly bounced back. He became the first college quarterback to throw for 4,500 yards in consecutive seasons since Patrick Mahomes did it at Texas Tech.
So where will Penix land in the 2024 NFL Draft? Where does he fit in? Let's take a look at his five best potential landing spots for Penix. These are his top five landing spots based on team fit and the likelihood that the team actually has the ability to draft him.
5. Los Angeles Rams (19th overall pick, 52nd overall pick)
The Los Angeles Rams successfully reset following their Super Bowl LVI win. They have rebuilt their offense through shrewd free agent signings (Kevin Dotson and Jonah Jackson) and the draft (2023 second-round pick Steve Avila), and they have added Cooper, a fifth-round pick in last year's draft. They have found a long-term replacement for Kupp. At Puka Nacua, he set NFL rookie records for catches (105) and receiving yards (1,486).
Quarterback Matthew Stafford bounced back impressively from missing eight games in 2022 due to a neck injury, earning his second career Pro Bowl berth in 2023 and Los Angeles' return to the postseason. But Stafford is 36 years old and has a history of injuries. Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead would be wise to draft someone they can develop as his long-term replacement for the future.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, one of McVay's former assistants, drafted Jordan Love in the first round and drafted Quarterback, even though the Packers had needs at other positions at the time. He had great success doing that in the back position. If the Rams believe in Penix, they could probably get him with the 19th pick.
Should the Rams wait him out calmly and work on a defensive line with future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald retired? They also own a second-round pick. However, if you wait until pick No. 52, you risk not having him on the board. Los Angeles may have to trade up in the second round to avoid missing out on him on Day 2.
4. Washington Commanders (2nd overall pick, 36th overall pick)
Managers will likely select their new quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, making Washington a reasonably attractive landing spot for the young quarterback. Not only is this new player likely to start right away, but he also has an entirely new coaching staff at the helm as a new owner looks to get this franchise back on track. That includes offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
There was no parade when Kingsbury, the former Arizona Cardinals head coach, was named the new OC, but perhaps the fan base should be optimistic. It looked as if he had put the Cards in a good spot before things fell apart in 2022. He even posted a top-10 offense in two of his first three seasons. Kingsbury has also worked with notable young quarterbacks such as Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams, Mahomes and Johnny Manziel. Things didn't work out in Arizona, but perhaps Kingsbury could be a good NFL offensive coordinator and be beneficial to young quarterbacks.
The only way Washington can play Penix is if they trade away the No. 2 overall pick. In that case, they could pick him late in Round 1 or within the first five picks in Round 2.
For more draft coverage, listen to our in-depth analysis twice a week. “With the first pick.” — Year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft Analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman. You can find “With the First Pick” wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Listen below.
The Vikings are squarely in the market for a new quarterback. Kirk Cousins signs with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, and Minnesota opens up the possibility of trading up for a new quarterback by acquiring an additional first-round pick thanks to a trade with the Houston Texans I'm preparing.
The Vikings gave up two second-round picks (one in 2024 and one in 2025) and a sixth-round pick in 2024 for the 23rd overall pick in the next draft. The original plan might be to trade up and select a quarterback in the top five, but if the Vikings don't like the terms of a trade up, they could stay put and end up with a quarterback at No. 23. There is also a possibility that Penix will be signed.
No matter which quarterback the Vikings end up taking, they'll instantly have the best supporting cast of any 2024 rookie: 2022 Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson , Pro Bowl running back Aaron Jones, two-time Pro Bowl tight end TJ Hockenson and a 2023 first-round wide selection. receiver Jordan Addison;
Penix: “It was amazing.” Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine. When asked about his encounter with the Vikings. “I think they're a good organization. They've shown a lot of good things and they've got a lot of good players. I felt very confident in that meeting.”
Personally, it would be fun to watch Penix's ball travel 70 yards through the thin air that exists in the Mile High City and watch him work with Sean Payton. Payton was never satisfied running the offense through Russell Wilson. That's why the Broncos cut Payton despite having to eat through a combined $85 million in dead cap money over the next two seasons.
Yes, Denver has to play Patrick Mahomes twice a year, but can the Broncos make the playoffs with just one quarterback? It depends on how good the quarterback is. No one expected C.J. Stroud's Texans to make the playoffs in his first year, but they still won the AFC South. Denver has several weapons on offense (wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Josh Reynolds, Tim Patrick, and running back Javonte Williams). Meanwhile, Vance Joseph facilitated a truly miraculous turnaround on defense.
If Denver doesn't finish in the top five, they could trade back a few spots in the first round and select Penix if they decide the No. 12 pick is a little too high. He's clearly interested in playing for Payton.
“Oh, that was an interesting meeting.” Penix Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine. About my encounter with the Broncos. “It was different than other players. I felt good. … It's going to be special to play for coach Sean Payton. He's a great coach, one of the best coaches in the game. It would be special to learn from him.'' …They were tough.they raised a lot of things [my] Bad play. It's good because it's difficult at the next level. It's hard to win. I am aware of that. In a way, they were probably trying to see how I would react to those bad plays. If I can be held accountable or whatever, I will always do that. I always put others before myself. I'm going to be honest about everything. ”
Being the quarterback who will be the next face of the Las Vegas Raiders franchise comes with the perk of being thrown to Davante Adams, a three-time All-Pro first-team selection and one of the best wide receivers in the league. Sure, they have Gardner Minshew and 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell, but neither inspires confidence that they can be more than fillers on the bench.
Penix would certainly be available with the No. 13 pick, and if Las Vegas can land him in a trade for LSU's Jayden Daniels, who has long been linked to head coach Antonio Pierce since his time at Arizona State, Penix would be a disappointment for Las Vegas. It could be an award. Like the Broncos, the Raiders could probably trade a few spots and still end up as Heisman Trophy runners-up in 2023.
“Many people speak highly of Coach AP [Antonio Pierce] And what he can do.'' Penix Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine. About my encounter with the Raiders. “I got to meet him and meet him. He's a pretty cool guy.”
