04/25/24 08:21:00
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04/25 20:19 CDT Falcons provide first NFL draft surprise by selecting
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr with No. 8 pick
Falcons provide first NFL draft surprise by selecting Washington QB Michael
Penix Jr with No. 8 pick
By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) --- The Atlanta Falcons provided the first major
surprise of the NFL draft by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of
Washington with the No. 8 overall pick on Thursday night.
The Falcons extended their recent trend of selecting offensive skill players in
the first round by drafting Penix one month after signing Kirk Cousins to a
four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed. Using a draft
slot normally targeted for players expected to make an immediate impact, the
Falcons chose Penix as the apparent long-term successor to the 35-year-old
Cousins.
The Falcons had been expected to use the pick to boost their pass rush.
The Falcons also focused on offensive playmakers with their last three
first-round picks. Tight end Kyle Pitts was the No. 4 overall pick in 2021,
followed by wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson, each
No. 8, the last two years.
The Falcons' draft won't by impacted by the NFL's investigation of the team's
possible violation of tampering policies before signing Cousins, who appeared
to indicate he had been in communication with team officials at a time the team
would have been permitted to talk only with his agent.
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