In Mel Kiper, Jr.’s Most Recent Mock Draft, the L.A. Rams Select Dynamic QB Michael Penix, Jr. in the 2nd Round

Mel Kiper, Jr.’s most recent mock draft is out, and in it, he forecasts an interesting second-round choice for the L.A. Rams.

In  Kiper‘s mock draft, the Rams trade up in the second round to claim quarterback Michael Penix, Jr.

PFF considers Penix a first-round caliber prospect. And, in a recent CBS Sports mock draft, Penix is selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 13th overall pick in the first round. CBS Sports offered this justification for the projected pick:

“Michael Penix Jr. makes his debut in this series of mock drafts thanks to his stock rising after a pro day workout in which he recorded a 40-yard dash time in the 4.5s, revealing athleticism he didn’t showcase in college (eight rushing yards on 35 carries last season).”

Michael Penix, Jr. — Bio and Stats

23-year-old Michael Penix, Jr. began his collegiate career at the Indiana University.  From 2018 to 2021, Penix started 17 games for the Hoosiers. However, he missed many games due to injuries.

In December 2021, Penix transferred to the University of Washington. He had two stellar years with the Huskies, compiling a record of 25-3. He was named the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year in 2022. Then, in 2023, he was named first-team All-American, and he led the Huskies to the national championship game.

Mel Kiper, Jr.’s Mock Draft

Here’s what ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr., said in predicting that the Rams will select Penix in the second round of the upcoming draft:

“Yes, the Rams have Matthew Stafford. Yes, they brought in Jimmy Garoppolo. And yes, they drafted Stetson Bennett in Round 4 last year. But Stafford is 36 and has dealt with serious injuries in recent years, while Garoppolo is on a one-year deal and Bennett spent his rookie season on the reserve/non-football illness list. There’s a lot of uncertainty in L.A. past 2024.

“Penix could be the future franchise signal-caller for coach Sean McVay and the Rams. He is accurate to every level of the field and is a great decision-maker. He had 67 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions in his two seasons at Washington. I have a Round 2 grade on him, just behind Bo Nix in my rankings.”

Kiper predicts the Rams will make a trade to secure this selection in the second round.

Here are the Rams’ currently allocated selections:

• No. 19 overall (first round)
• No. 52 overall (second round)
• No. 83 overall (third round)
• No. 99 overall (third round — compensatory pick)

Kiper projects the Rams sending Nos. 52, 83, and 99 to the Los Angeles Chargers for No. 37, and then using the 37th pick to take Penix.

Rams Wire is on board with Kiper’s suggestion to go after Penix:

“Penix could be one of six quarterbacks drafted in the first round, but in Kiper’s mock, only four of them go in Round 1. [Bo] Nix and Penix both slip into the second round after Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy all go in the top five.

“The Rams do need a successor behind Stafford[,] and Penix would be afforded the chance to sit and learn for at least a year or two, which would benefit him greatly. There are some injury concerns after he suffered two torn ACLs and two shoulder injuries during his time at Indiana from 2018-2021, but he looks to be past those ailments….

“Some fans may not be on board with the Rams taking a quarterback early in the draft, but with Bennett’s future unclear and Stafford getting older, they need to address the position sooner or later[,] and spending a second-round[] pick on a talented passer isn’t the worst idea — even if it comes after trading up.”

Penix’s History of Injuries

At Indiana, Penix suffered the misfortune of going through four consecutive season-ending injuries:

• 2018: After only three games as a true freshman in 2018 Penix suffered an ACL tear.
• 2019: Penix dislocated the sternoclavicular (SC) joint in his non-throwing shoulder.
• 2020: He re-tore his ACL.
• 2021: He dislocated a joint in his throwing shoulder.

Remarkably, Penix overcame all these injuries and went on to play two mostly injury-free seasons for the Huskies. Significantly, he received a clean bill of health at the NFL Combine.

For more sports-related news, focused primarily on the USC Trojans, SMU Mustangs, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Rams, please follow me at @vshjah_Victor.