Risers and fallers come to dominate the headlines of every NFL draft. This year, the biggest riser has arguably been Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who’s seen his stock go through the roof since the NFL Combine.
Alas, McCarthy could be beyond the Denver Broncos’ grasp now unless they relinquish a king’s ransom to push their way into the top 5 of the draft. That may dictate that the quarterback-needy Broncos consider other potential targets.
Fortunately, the pro-day performance of Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. may push him into a more prominent view. The Broncos seem to at least be considering Penix, as he met with the team last week in Denver on a top-30 visit.
NBC Sports’ Chris Simms has been compiling a dossier on Penix, a fellow southpaw quarterback. Simms has become a believer in the 23-year-old’s well-rounded skill set, perhaps even more so than North Carolina’s top-3-projected Drake Maye.
“[I] thought that Michael Penix Jr. and Drake Maye pro days really showed a contrast in the QBs. Penix is a machine throwing it over and over. Maye loses control of his throws more than any of the top QB’s in consideration. Penix is being underrated. he should be a Top 20 pick,” Simms wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Thought that the Michael Penix Jr & Drake Maye pro days really showed the contrast in the QBs. Penix is a machine throwing it over and over. Maye loses control of his throws more than any of the top QBs in consideration. Penix is being underrated. He should be a Top 20 pick
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 1, 2024
Simms’ view of Penix’s draft stock is noteworthy. Not many lefthanded quarterbacks make it into the pro ranks, but Simms did, spending the 2009 season in Denver. The Broncos’ desperate need under center, combined with head coach Sean Payton’s desire for a precision passer, suddenly makes Penix look like a plausible match at pick No.12.
Penix improved his draft stock by overcoming the biggest concern teams had, acing his medical checks, throwing extremely well, and running a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash. With most of the lingering question marks over his past knee and shoulder injuries ostensibly being put to bed, only the concerns about his inability to consistently attack the middle of the field remain.
That’s a problem area that Payton might feel he can help Penix improve upon under his coaching. There aren’t any concerns over Penix’s arm strength or accuracy, which he displayed at Washington this past season, leading the Huskies all the way to the National Championship Game.
On Draft Day, an early run of quarterbacks is likely, but it shouldn’t stop the Broncos from taking a shot on Penix — should they feel comfortable enough to pull the trigger. Fans may worry about the QB-desperate Broncos reaching for a quarterback, but in the NFL, just as in life, no risk-it, no buscuit.
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2024-04-07 01:29:49
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