Legacy Play

As NFL war rooms light up with debate over Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, one name continues to rise above the noise—Michael Penix Jr. With a cannon for an arm, elite vision, and battle-tested leadership, he’s quietly becoming the best quarterback prospect in this class. Ignore the mock drafts and media frenzy, as the quarterback with the highest ceiling and strongest resume is him, and NFL general managers ignore that at their peril. No quarterback in this class made throws like Penix Jr. did week after week. Big moments. Tight windows. NFL-level reads. He is the real deal, and I’m about to tell you why.

Every draft has a turning point, a moment when a franchise makes the pick that changes the trajectory of their future. In 2024, Michael Penix Jr. should be that pick. He has battled through injuries, critics, and pressure to become the most battle-tested QB in the draft. His journey from setbacks to stardom proves that when the stakes are high and it’s now or nothing, Penix rises to the occasion. The question is not whether he belongs at the top of the QB rankings; it’s how on earth he is not QB 1 on every team’s draft board. His tape, journey, and stats back this up, and his unique combination of all three sets him apart. Compared to other QBs in the draft, he did not ride hype but instead built a resume. NFL teams looking for a day 1 starter do not need to look any further.

Let’s start with the journey, which is both grueling and inspiring. Starting out in Indiana, Penix tore his ACL in his freshman year, which was a massive setback. After coming back from injury and being the starting QB for the next two seasons, he then tore his ACL again in 2020. Despite all this, when he played in Indiana, he managed to lead a struggling program back into relevance and gave hope to the fans of great things to come. This is a testament to his character, that despite what he went through, he stayed focused and came back from injury stronger than ever. In the 2020 season, when he was arguably a Heisman candidate, he tore his ACL again. This led to him struggling with his mental health as well as his bodily health. Following the 2021 season, he rejoined his former offensive coordinator, Kalen DeBoer, in Washington, hoping for a fresh start. It was here where he turned himself into one of the nation’s premier QBs and managed to lead Washington to an 11-2 season in his first season, along with leading the FBS in passing yards. The next season was even better, as he led Washington to an undefeated season and to the National Championship game, coupled with becoming a Heisman candidate, where he finished second. His journey of battling through injury and mental health struggles and overcoming them alongside leading his team to excellence makes him stand out from the other QBs in this year’s draft.

Penix’s strengths start with his arm, which is a rocket launcher mixed with a cannon, which allows him to deliver deep balls with the same precision and effort as a checkdown. You may be saying, Louis, there are loads of quarterbacks in the draft who have a strong arm. True, but what makes Penix special is that his arm strength is paired with exceptional timing and anticipation. Not only does he throw wide receivers open, but he also leads them into space, an ability that separates the great from the good. His ability to put the ball in spaces where only the receiver can get it when in tight coverage stands out. In combination with that, he has a strong pocket presence, a dream for offensive linemen, which is reflected by his 92 PFF grade when in the pocket. He is calm under pressure along with high football IQ, and if you combine all those traits, you have a quarterback tailor-made for today’s NFL. This isn’t just my opinion; both the tape and stats back it up. Turn on the tape, and Penix jumps off the screen. His footwork is clean, although it does need some polishing, and his release and throw are clean and mechanically efficient. He excels in vertical passing concepts but is just as effective in the intermediate passing game. His film at its best blows away every other QB in the draft. Penix is also physically strong and has all the tools required. His frame and size are imposing and allow him to go head-to-head with linebackers when scrambling. Combine that with his innate toughness, and he is a nightmare to tackle in free space.

His statistical profile is exceptional as well. He had a pressure-to-sack ratio of 7.6, which is tied for first with Bo Nix in the draft and highlights his ability to avoid sacks, as the lower the number, the better (for context, the lowest ever was 6.5). He had the highest total yards with 4903 yards, and when combined with the 2022 season, he is the first player since Patrick Mahomes to record 4500-yard seasons consecutively. His under-pressure percentage when throwing deep, a stat that shows the ability of the quarterback to get the ball deep despite being pressured, is 37%, the best in the draft class. For context, the only NFL QBs above 35% are Josh Allen, Brock Purdy, and Patrick Mahomes. That’s pretty good company. Athletically, his stats are just as impressive. His 40-yard dash of 4.5 was in the 95th percentile for QBs, his 10-yard split of 1.58 was in the 96th percentile, and his vertical jump of 36.5 was in the 96th percentile. Essentially, not only is his pure quarterbacking ability as good as the very best in the NFL, but so is his athletic profile among quarterbacks. There is also a notion among critics of Penix that his success was only due to the talent around him. Although yes, he had immense talent to throw to at Washington, the stats provide a more detailed picture. Before Penix arrived, the WRs there (Odunze, Polk, and MacMillan) each had average stats. After Penix arrived, the yards received for each of the receivers shot up, with the most notable being Odunze, who went from 415 yards in 2021 to 1145 yards in 2022. Penix doesn’t just perform strongly himself; he improves the players around him as well.

As draft day looms, one thing is as clear as glass: Michael Penix Jr. isn’t just a potential star; he is the blueprint for what every franchise quarterback should aspire to be. With elite arm talent, proven production, and a strong mindset for the next level, Penix stands out in the 2024 draft. Behind every throw, every moment of calm under pressure, and every highlight reel play is a quarterback who has fought to earn his place everywhere he has been. Penix is not just another pick; instead, he represents the culmination of hard work, determination, and relentless determination. This makes him the perfect option for NFL teams looking for their next franchise quarterback.