Michael Penix – Quarterback – 23 years old – Senior – Washington
Height: 1m89
Weight: 98 kilos
Estimated draft position: 13-52
NFL Comparison: Drew Lock (Giants)
His university studies were very disrupted by injuries, like a “Mister Potato”: this toy that can lose an arm or leg in the snap of a finger.
If the term “potato” defined both a deep throw and a powerful shot in soccerthen Michael Penix would be the “patator” of the quarterbacks of the 2024 vintage.
But adding his injury history to his age as well as his inconsistency, Michael Penix is the biggest bet in this draft! Not 100 but from 18 to 8 “potatoes” (in millions of dollars), from the middle of the 1st round to the middle of the second round of the draft. (reference to the Unknowns film “The Three Brothers”)
Highlights of Michael Penix
– Aggressive thrower
– Suddenly
Michael Penix is a quarterback who leaves his mark! His ability to attack from deep makes every NFL coach salivate.
He is not afraid to attempt a “bomb” at any point in the match. No defense can neglect the depth of the field with him and this gives two advantages to an attack: one that defenses cannot reinforce the box at the expense of deep coverage. And of course also, that of being able to gain a lot of yards in one go!
If he knows how to throw deep, Michael Penix especially knows how to throw quickly. In the NFL, decision-making before throwing cannot exceed 3 seconds without risk of being pressured! Michael Penix knows how to scan the terrain and quickly decide which area to attack.
Weaknesses of Michael Penix
– Significant injury history
– Older age
– Inconstant
– Not very mobile
The Indiana air did not suit Michael Penix! In 2018, he appeared in three games before injuring his knee. The following year, he was named starter but was injured again after 6 matches (shoulder and collarbone). In 2020, the same knee failed again after 6 games with the Hoosiers from Indiana. And in 2021, it is his left shoulder which forces him to shorten his season from the 5th meeting! Deregistered from all mutual insurance companies in the state, he decided to move on in 2022.
If Michael Penix has since completed two full seasons with the University of Washington, this history of injuries has weakened his rating with NFL staff.
And because he held on to his dream, he stayed longer than usual in the NCAA. He will turn 24 on May 8 and arrives in the NFL being 19 months older than CJ Stroud! Age is not a criterion of quality but limits the margin for progression.
Technically, his throwing mechanics (and the footwork that goes with it) are not optimal. Thrown too high or too low, the variable quality of his passes was often compensated for by very talented teammates! Because no quarterback has thrown more passes than him in 2023 (555 passes), Michael Penix has managed to make a difference in the NCAA. But the inconsistency of his throws can penalize him in the NFL.
A trend that has always been present at the college level, the NFL increasingly likes quarterbacks who also have running skills. Michael Penix is not that type of player at all!
In summary
Michael Penix is a spectacular player capable of all the throws in the NFL playbooks. He looks like the Drew Lock who came out of the University of Missouri in 2019: powerful arm but inconsistent and not very mobile.
Four quarterbacks could be called into the top 5 in 2024! Further in the 1st round, Bo Nix and his playmaker profile could match Sean Payton's offensive system in Denver. Michael Penix has qualities but his flaws as well as his injury history mean that he could slip into the 2nd round.
Possible destinations
Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams
Las Vegas needs to do better than Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell at quarterback. Could the Raiders choose him with pick 13 or wisely wait? Waiting until their choice 44, however, seems risky: another team could pass them by! In order to have the possibility of activating a 5th year on a rookie contract, it is possible that Las Vegas sets up an exchange to obtain a choice at the end of the 1st round for this player.
The Giants could bet on a pitcher from pick number 6 in the 2024 draft. But the best will already be selected! So if they decided to wait until the 2nd round, the Giants could get Michael Penix at a lower cost. Given his important contract, Daniel Jones will still be there in 2024 but is he the longer-term solution?
The Rams might be interested in preparing for the future. But despite the limitations of his profile, Michael Penix will likely be chosen before pick 52.
