Few top 10 picks have sparked as much discussion as when the Atlanta Falcons selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft last week.

Just over a month ago, the Falcons awarded a substantial contract to free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, prompting many to question why they would invest significant draft capital in a quarterback who might not see action until his late 20s.

In defense of the decision, Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith asserted the team’s confidence in Penix, believing he has the potential to be “the guy” for them, as reported by Josh Kendall of The Athletic.

“This is the first year that we were sitting at our (first-round) pick and there was a quarterback that we felt like was the guy. We’re staring down the barrel at a player that we feel like could be that guy.”

While the Falcons may have faith in Penix’s abilities, the move still appears risky, especially after committing substantial resources, both financially and in terms of salary cap space, to Cousins.

If Cousins doesn’t perform at a high level immediately, this gamble could result in significant consequences for those involved.

Penix will soon turn 24, meaning if he doesn’t play in 2024, he won’t take his first NFL snaps until he’s 25. Additionally, if Cousins completes his entire contract, the Falcons won’t see Penix as a starter until he’s nearly 30.

While planning for both short- and long-term futures is sensible, it becomes problematic when one plan obstructs the other.

The Atlanta Falcons are not going to live down the pick anytime soon, at least until Michael Penix Jr. makes an impact on the field. There is no denying his talent, but fans are looking past that to other team needs that the franchise passed on in the first round.

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