FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. (QB – Washington)

6’3” – 213 lbs.

Background:

Four-star recruit who originally attended Indiana. Appeared in three games (no starts) before tearing his ACL and redshirting the 2018 season. Was limited to six starts the following year due to injury (shoulder), but went 5-1 as the starter and totaled 1,394 yards (68.8%, 8.7 YPA), ten touchdowns, and four interceptions in that span. Tore the same ACL (right knee) six games into the following year, again going 5-1 as the starter and finishing with 1,645 yards (56.4%, 7.5), fourteen touchdowns, and four interceptions. Was lost for the year in 2021 after five games, injuring his left shoulder in what had been a weak season, then transferred to Washington. Has put up monster numbers there for the past two years. Went 11-2 in 2022, with 4,641 yards (65.3%, 8.4 YPA), 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, then won the Maxwell Award this year, with a 13-0 record heading into bowl season. Has thrown for 4,218 yards (65.9%, 9.1), 33 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

Positives:

Has over forty starts to his name and developed into one of college football’s top quarterbacks once he transferred to Washington. Was asked to make more pro-style throws and take more deep shots than usual for a college passer. Light on his feet in the pocket, without a heel click at the end of his drops. Works through progressions and makes solid decisions with the ball; can be aggressive, but knows when to protect the ball and throw a checkdown. Trusts his receivers and makes throws with anticipation. Left-handed passer who gets the ball out with rhythm. Generates torque effectively. One of the most consistently accurate passers in this year’s class, with appropriate touch to all three levels of the field; ball placement facilitates yards after the catch and makes things easy on his receivers. Has been surgical off of play action, which is a much heavier element of Washington’s offense than many other college teams (a lot of package plays.) Effective deep-ball thrower who shows good timing and placement down the field to hit receivers in stride, getting a high arc on his throws. Shows the ability to manipulate safeties with his eyes. Interceptions were generally a case of giving his receiver a chance to make a play, rather than poor decisions.

Negatives:

Will be a 24-year-old rookie. Spent six years in school and sustained serious injuries in each of his first four seasons. Would like to see his release point a bit higher. Overall arm talent is closer to adequate; doesn’t generate a ton of velocity, and has to really put his body into throws that passers with more arm talent can easily flick downfield. Pure pocket passer who doesn’t offer much as a runner and can struggle under pressure.

Summary:

May not have as much arm talent as the other top quarterbacks in the draft, but is probably the best decision-maker overall, and has arguably the most consistent ball placement of any of the passers in the class. Has been operating in an aggressive, relatively pro-style offense for the Huskies, and has shown the ability to attack downfield with anticipation, timing, and touch. Injury issues could lead to diverging evaluations, but looks like he’ll probably come off the board in the second round or so.

Projection: Round 2