There are so many quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft class that a team could end up with a pretty good one late in the first round.
In fact, there is also so much talent at other positions in the draft, especially wide receiver and offensive tackle, that one or two solid signal-callers could fall considerably.
One of them is QB Michael Penix Jr. from the University of Washington — in fact, the NFL on ESPN’s analytics gives him only slightly more than a 50-50 chance of going anywhere in the first round.
Do you see Michael Penix Jr. going in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft? 👀 pic.twitter.com/L7GZqlKFSj
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 18, 2024
Penix led Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where they fell to J.J. McCarthy and the University of Michigan.
He threw for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns last season, and he was second in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy.
Penix is thought to have tremendous arm strength, although how he deals with pressure and his processing speed could be issues at the next level.
Last year’s draft yielded a decent quarterback class, and Will Levis, who was considered to be the fourth-best QB by most, fell into the second round somewhat unexpectedly.
On the other hand, perhaps Penix could go somewhere in the middle of the first round this year.
The Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, who have the No. 12 and No. 13 picks, respectively, need a QB, and perhaps Penix could fit the bill for either team unless they trade up to get someone such as McCarthy, who could go in the top five.
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