Michael Penix Jr. would agree with the saying, “Opportunity dances with those on the dancefloor.” The question is, who will be willing to dance with a 24-year-old rookie quarterback who suffered four season-ending injuries while in college? While he’s still viewed as a top-six quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft, it wasn’t that long ago that it seemed like would be one of the first to hear his name called.
How good is Michael Penix Jr.?
Michael Penix Jr. was once thought to be a top-three quarterback taken in April’s draft, but now he seems to be the fifth or sixth to be selected behind Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, and maybe even Bo Nix. NFL teams aren’t typically in the business of using Day 1 picks on players with any type of baggage that could affect their investments. Unfortunately for Penix, he comes with plenty.
There’s no denying that University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is the total package. As he showed in his recent Pro Day, he has good size, speed, and arm talent. Everything out of his two college stops, Indiana and Washington, points to him being a helluva teammate and elite leader. It’s everything else that is reportedly keeping teams from making him one of the top quarterbacks selected in the upcoming NFL Draft.
A thread of some more Michael Penix Jr. throws from today’s Pro Day at Washington.
➡️ Ja’Lynn Polk pic.twitter.com/Prb0blV3At
— Nick Lemkau (@nlmku_LWOS) March 28, 2024
“It’s not me, it’s you.”
That “everything else” includes the fact that Michael Penix, Jr. will be 24 years old before he ever takes a snap in the NFL, and he has suffered more serious injuries than most NFL quarterbacks deal in an entire career. The age factor isn’t nearly as big of a deal as the injuries. He suffered two torn ACL injuries to his right knee, and according to Spartascience.com, it’s the back knee that allows quarterbacks to drive their bodies thus adding power to their throws.
I get if you’re comparing them to the same round but penix in rounds 1-2 with big injury history riskier . Than Jordan Travis who had a fractured leg and drafting in the 4-5th round. All of penix injuries are major as well . pic.twitter.com/Pyc9HuKmCN
— PrinceNazoEphtribe (@ephtribe) March 23, 2024
Drafting a quarterback with this serious of an injury history is admittedly scary if you are making the decisions for an NFL franchise. General managers are fighting for their professional lives with every draft pick as team owners have become less and less patient throughout the years. Most decision-makers would rather go with the player who is a little less talented but has fewer red flags. Michael Penix Jr. is the quarterback with the most warning signs for GMs thus causing his impending descent down that board.
Almost time to dance
As we approach the draft, it’s hard to predict where Penix will go. Looking at the plethora of mock drafts out there, guesses range from him going in the top 10 all the way into early round two. For his sake, GMs and coaches will look at the body of work and the talent he possesses, but if you are in their positions, it’s totally understandable to pass on him and make the safer pick. We’ll see if during Day 1 of the draft, someone is willing to make that call to him or if he’ll be dancing on his own.