The Atlanta Falcons have been the focus of the league following this year’s NFL Draft, making the most startling and controversial selection in recent memory, and many fans and commentators have been quick to criticize them for their bold move.
Atlanta utilized five picks to strengthen its front seven defense, but we all know those weren’t the picks that ignited all of this debate, albeit Trent Dilfer is one of the few that approves of the selection.
Dilfer appeared on Outkick Sports and praised the Falcons for selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick, saying “they’re looking to become Super Bowl contenders for a decade” and emphasizing Penix’s differences from Kirk Cousins, mentioning how much he can learn from him to be ready to carry the baton when his turn comes.
Dilfer referred to Penix as a gunslinger, whereas Cousins has a more precise style, and said that learning from Cousins, even for a short time, could help Penix’s career.
Penix’s talent has not been criticized here.
It has been the reality that the organization just paid Cousins $180 million and, after a few years of being just a quarterback away from contention, wasted the 8th overall pick on a backup quarterback rather than adding another weapon to assist make an instant Super Bowl push.
It’s an unexpected choice, but if Penix becomes a star when he joins the starting lineup in a few years, everything will be forgotten.
