AFC offensive coach shares bold draft take about Michael Penix Jr.

There's more information about the reported rising draft stock of Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. this spring. 

"In my early rounds of phone calls, it’s pretty apparent to me that coaches are higher on Penix than scouts," NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed in a piece published Monday. 

Specifically, one unnamed offensive coach from an AFC team said that "Penix is my No. 2 guy" among quarterback prospects in this year's draft class. 

Just about every analyst has at least USC's Caleb Williams, LSU's Jayden Daniels, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy and North Carolina's Drake Maye ranked ahead of Penix. Some also have Bo Nix of the Oregon Ducks above Penix on draft boards. 

"I love Penix," the coach told Breer. "He's a stud, a born leader, calm and collected and in a genuine way. He’s a baller. He turns it loose, can throw it into tight windows. He stands in the pocket, lets plays develop, takes hits, throws it down the field. He’s just a winner."

As recently as Monday, ESPN NFL insider Field Yates suggested that Penix could go to the Denver Broncos at overall draft pick No. 12 or to the Las Vegas Raiders via the 13th selection. Meanwhile, multiple CBS Sports analysts remain unconvinced a team will spend a first-round choice on Penix. 

Breer acknowledged that one NFC executive called Penix a "three-point shooter." The insider also said that game film showed Penix struggled to make plays underneath during the national title contest versus Michigan on Jan. 8. In total, Penix completed 27-of-51 passes for 255 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the 34-13 defeat against the Wolverines. 

"The optimist (coaches) would say that can be fixed with some mechanical work," Breer added about Penix. "The pessimist (scouts, in this case) would say he’s been in school for six years, and had great coaching, so it’s not like folks haven’t been trying."

One AFC college scouting director and an NFC executive left Penix's pro day workout impressed by the signal-caller's "super strong arm" and "arm talent." 

Such gifts likely won't be enough to make Penix the second quarterback drafted on the night of April 25, but it seems clear some coaches aren't as worried about his injury history as believed during the winter. 

In short, buzz related to a team spending a first-round pick on Penix likely won't be quieting down between now and the final week of April.