Exhaustive Draft Coverage Fails to Benefit Picks or Cousins’ Surprise Falcons Move; Penix Jr.’s Skills Prompt Warnings for Established QB

The author reflects on how annual pre-NFL Draft coverage has become excessively exhaustive and never benefits draft choices no matter when they’re picked, as seen in this year’s surprise selection by Atlanta Falcons of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. With the eighth pick of Round 1. The author highlights that Kirk Cousins, who was recently signed by the Falcons for a hefty $180 million contract ($100m guaranteed), expressed shock and disappointment at this move through his agent Mike McCartney, despite being aware that quarterback selections were discussed during negotiations with other teams. The author points out that Cousins’ reaction is surprising given how common it is for established players to learn of draft picks via the media when their employers announce such decisions unexpectedly beforehand. Furthermore, the article notes that Penix Jr., who impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine and has a history of injury issues but has been fully healthy in recent years, was speculated as potentially being picked by Atlanta based on reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter four days prior to the draft commencing. The author suggests that Cousins should be wary of Penix Jr.’s abilities since he is an excellent quarterback and is older than most rookies at 24 years old, whereas Falcons coach Arthur Smith seems less perturbed by this development as it’s common for teams to draft young players while their established counterparts sit on the bench. The author also highlights that other NFL franchises have followed similar strategies with Jordan Love in Green Bay and Steve Young in San Francisco during Joe Montana’s heyday, both of whom backed up veterans before eventually taking over as starters themselves. Despite Falcons GM Terry Fontenot’s comments suggesting Penix Jr.’s potential long-term success could be a “great problem” to have, the author speculates that this pick was always planned for by Atlanta and should not come off as particularly surprising considering its regularity in NFL history.