Former NFL quarterback and current UAB head coach Trent Dilfer shared his thoughts on the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft during an appearance on OutKick’s “Hot Mic.” One of the most debated picks was when the Atlanta Falcons selected former Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Eighth overall, which left many perplexed due to his age and the presence of Kirk Cousins already in place.
Dilfer believes that despite appearances, this pick wasn’t a mistake as he thinks Cousins is well-suited to help develop Penix into a star player. He compared it to Green Bay Packers’ strategy with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, believing Penix can grow under the guidance of an established starter like Cousins.
Dilfer explained that teams draft quarterbacks based on their preferences as everyone has different tastes when it comes to ice cream, but they are all awesome in their individual ways. He applied this philosophy to J.J. McCarthy who went to Minnesota Vikings to replace Kirk Cousins and fits the team’s style of balance and dominance at the line of scrimmage despite not being considered one of the most talented quarterbacks in the draft.
While coaching, scheme fit, and lack of mistakes can be just as valuable as physical abilities like running or a strong arm for quarterback success, Penix may face an uphill battle if he intends to start behind Cousins at age 28 when Patrick Mahomes won his three Super Bowl championships already in his twenties. This makes it challenging that while drafting and developing strategies make sense as long as the player is uniquely talented or young enough so they are starting during their physical peak, Penix seems older than other college quarterbacks, making this strategy an odd choice for Dilfer and Falcons’ management team.
The success of Atlanta Falcon’s Michael Penix Jr.’s future development behind Kirk Cousins remains to be seen as it could either lead them towards brilliance or missing out on better options that emerge two years later when the younger player still has yet another year learning under an established starter like Cousins.
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