Falcons provide first NFL draft surprise by taking Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. with No. 8 pick
by WTOP
WTOP— FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons provided the first major surprise of the NFL draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington with the No. 8 overall pick on Thursday night.
Newsweek—Atlanta Falcons Make Shocking Pick, Draft QB Michael Penix Jr. No. 8 Overall in 2024 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons have made the biggest surprise selection of the 2024 NFL Draft.With the No. 8 overall selection, the team drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington.Penix finished second in Heisman trophy voting in 2023 behind LSU's quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was selected No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders.The Falcons were widely expected to take edge rusher Dallas Turner out of Alabama, however, they instead selected a quarterback despite signing Kirk Cousins to a...
Newsweek—Kirk Cousins Reportedly 'Stunned' Atlanta Falcons Took QB Michael Penix Jr. in First Round of 2024 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons made the most shocking pick of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. Since the Falcons already signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, they were not expected to take a quarterback in the first round of this year's draft.Cousins was reportedly unaware that the Falcons were drafting Penix No. 8 overall, per NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah."I just reached out to his...
Daily Mail—Michael Penix Jr. had a 'good conversation' with Kirk Cousins after being controversially picked by the Falcons in the NFL Draft amid confusion over Atlanta adding him to QB room alongside $180m recruit. Just over a month since handing Cousins a four-year, $180million contract, the Falcons stunned both their new recruit and fans by picking Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick at this week's NFL Draft.