Atlanta

NFL DRAFT 2024: Falcons grab quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with first round draft pick

By WSBTV.com News Staff

2024 CFP National Championship - Michigan v Washington HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies throws the ball in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

By WSBTV.com News Staff

DETROIT, Mich. — For the third year in a row, the Atlanta Falcons have the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft.

So who did they draft as their first-round pick? University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is the newest Falcon.

He played four seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers from 2018 to 2021 before transferring to Washington in 2022.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Falcons signed now-former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins last month.

Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein says team owner Arthur Blank wanted a succession plan to Cousins.

Penix, a 6-foot-2 senior at Washington grew up in Tampa, Florida.

After the NFL Combine, Turner was projected to go in the first round.

Channel 2 Sports Anchor Alison Mastrangelo is in Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft to catch up with the Falcons joining the roster and to find out where some metro Atlanta players end up.

The 2024 NFL Draft runs through April 27. All seven rounds over the course of three days will air live on Channel 2.

Get the latest details on all of the Falcons’ draft picks on WSBTV.com and Channel 2 Action News.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN RELATED NEWS:

Historians, former NFL players discuss diversity, after Falcons hire 1st full time Black coach

©2023 Cox Media Group

Most Read