Every year, one team looks like they lost their minds during the draft. In this edition of the 2024 NFL Draft, it happened to be the Atlanta Falcons. They recently signed Kirk Cousins to a 4-year $180 million. Therefore, the odds were they would address their deficiencies in other positions. Instead, they drafted QB Michael Penix Jr. with their 8th overall pick.
The biggest needs on the Falcons’ roster were defensive tackle and cornerback. With the level of talent in the tackle positions, it was expected that the Atlanta team would draft one to be their anchor over the foreseeable future. They were also expected to address their need for a corner in the second round. But who would have thought that they would draft Michael Penix Jr. with such a high pick?
Yes, Kirk Cousins is not scheduled to start this season. Their lack of a quality backup suggested that they could take a quarterback in the later rounds. But going this high for a QB who might have to sit on the bench for at least the next three years was unexpected.
Taking a pick this high on a position they just catered to with a monster contract gives mixed signals as they head into the next season. Do the Atlanta Falcons not see Cousins to last the duration of the contract? Or did they get a starter-level backup in, expecting injuries to limit Cousins as the season progresses?
NFL fans lose it with Falcons picking Michael Penix Jr.
The Atlanta Falcons did give a glimpse of this possible pick when they held a private workout for Michael Penix Jr. a few weeks back. Fans questioned the workout then. Now they are questioning the pick. After all, why would a team with a glaring need for another crucial position draft a player who will likely not even start for the foreseeable future?
They took to social media to call out the team for their bizarre pick. Football fans feel the Falcons had good talent on the defensive tackle position to draft one at No. 8. Check some of those reactions below:
It seems the 2024 NFL Draft has found its first bizarre pick. One that will have NFL fans talking about for some time. If the pick does turn out to be a defensive disaster, the draft strategy makers of the Falcons surely have some brutal questions to answer in the coming season.
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