Analysts perplexed by Falcons' Michael Penix Jr., Kirk Cousins situation

Wondering why the Atlanta Falcons made Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. the eighth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft less than two months after they signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M guaranteed? You're not alone. 

"I don't get it," ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. said early Friday morning. "The reality is Penix is No. 24 overall on my big board, and I had him rated a tier behind (Michigan Wolverines quarterback) J.J. McCarthy, who was still on the board." 

The Minnesota Vikings traded up to get McCarthy via the 10th pick. 

"The other part of this is Atlanta has a huge need on defense, and it passed up the opportunity to take the first defender in the class," Kiper continued. "...The Falcons addressing their defense would have helped them compete for the NFC South title, but instead, they took a quarterback who will sit behind Cousins and wait his turn." 

While most assumed the Falcons signing Cousins made them a win-now team that needed to add a non-quarterback to its roster via pick No. 8, it's worth noting that whispers linking Atlanta to Penix arose earlier in the week. Nevertheless, ESPN analyst Matt Miller was among those who said on Friday they "don't get [Atlanta's decision] at all." 

"After making that massive investment to Cousins with $100M in guaranteed money, Atlanta had satisfied its quarterback need and could have used that pick to reinforce its pass rush or add depth to its secondary," Field Yates of ESPN said. 

Cousins turns 36 years old in August and is coming off a torn right Achilles he suffered on Oct. 29, so Penix could become a useful insurance policy this coming fall. 

Per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot insisted Thursday night that "Kirk Cousins is our quarterback" and that drafting Penix was "thinking about the future." 

Dan Pompei of The Athletic wasn't sold as of Friday. 

"Committing $180M to Kirk Cousins and then committing a first-round pick to Penix sent a confusing message — especially when they passed on players who could have helped maximize Cousins," Pompei explained. "If they didn’t think another player was worthy of the eighth pick, the Falcons probably could have found a dance partner for a trade-down." 

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons as the betting favorites at -130 odds to win the division title for the 2024 season. Whether or not Fontenot and Co. will regret their decision on Thursday night come January 2025 shall be seen.