Maybe the Falcons are planning to offer Kirk Cousins back to the Vikings as a resolution to the NFL investigation into their alleged free-agent tampering.
Otherwise, Atlanta’s decision to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft only seven weeks after signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract made no sense.
It reportedly angered Cousins to be left in the dark that his replacement was getting drafted before he plays a snap for the Falcons.
It’s a bad spot for Penix, who is about to turn 24 and is a ready-to-play prospect who will be tied to the bench for at least two seasons.
It doesn’t help a playoff-minded team short on pass-rushers.
It’s a long-term move that contradicts 81-year-old owner Arthur Blank’s candid win-now sense of urgency.
It sets up a fan- and media-driven quarterback controversy after every loss.
Everyone involved with the Falcons lost with this pick. Here are other winners and losers from the draft’s first round:
WINNERS
Giants QB Daniel Jones: A big investment was made in scouting “the most talented group [of quarterbacks] to come out in years” – as Giants owner John Mara says he was told by the front office – turned up naught. No quarterback added at this point will threaten Jones’ job in 2024 and thus he has a chance to win back long-term security rather than being treated as a surefire 2025 cut.
: Expect Six Quarterbacks in the First Round of 2024 NFL Draft (Dailymotion)
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah: He called the Giants’ bluff on drafting J.J. McCarthy at No. 6. He didn’t overreact to the possibility of the Broncos or Raiders leapfrogging him for McCarthy. He got his future quarterback at No. 10 and then stole edge rusher Dallas Turner – arguably the draft’s best defensive player – at No. 17, after trading up from No. 23 without giving up a second-rounder.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman: One of the NFL’s most aggressive traders couldn’t move up from No. 22 despite reported attempts. He got the last laugh when he was able to fill the Eagles’ seemingly annual biggest need with their No. 1-ranked player at the position (cornerback Quinyon Mitchell) – without giving up any other assets. Mitchell is the Eagles’ first round-one cornerback pick since 2002.
Bears: General manager Ryan Poles made a historically great trade in March 2023 to land the No. 1 pick in 2024. Quarterback Caleb Williams enters a ready-made situation that most No.1 picks do not. Receiver Rome Odunze (No. 9) gets to grow alongside Williams. Long-suffering Bears fans have every reason to expect a playoff berth. So many winners here – and a lot of pressure on head coach Matt Eberflus.
LSU: The three-way recruiting debate over Wide Receiver U. continues to rage. Ohio State and Alabama have plenty of alums starring in the NFL, but two more first-rounders (the Giants’ Malik Nabers and Jaguars’ Brian Thomas) joining Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Odell Beckham Jr. checks the “What have you done for more lately?” box.
LOSERS
Bills QB Josh Allen: There was buzz that the Bills might trade up for a receiver to replace Stefon Diggs. Instead, they traded down twice, allowing seven receivers to come off the board, including three after their original pick of No. 28. And the Dolphins added a pass-rusher (Chop Robinson) to make his life more difficult twice per season.
Cowboys: If you are going to trade back in the first round, you better know what the teams in front of you are planning. The Cowboys lost potential starters to the Buccaneers (center Graham Barton) and Chiefs (receiver Xavier Worthy) by dropping from No. 24 to No. 29 to pick up a third-round pick. It continues a strangely passive offseason for the Cowboys.
Patriots QB Drake Maye: One well-connected league source ranked the Patriots (No. 3 pick) as the worst of the pre-draft potential quarterback landing spots due to the unproven nature of the coaching staff, a dearth of offensive weapons, big fan expectations and Tom Brady’s shadow. Maye needs time to fix some bad habits, but meddlesome ownership might want to see him play sooner if journeyman Jacoby Brissett struggles.
Raiders: Once the Giants passed, it looked like three obvious destinations for the final three of six first-round quarterbacks. Until the Falcons jumped in and squeezed out the Raiders, who should rue not being more aggressive. The Tom Telesco-Antonio Pierce Era starts with … a Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell quarterback battle? And 2023 second-round pick, tight end Michael Mayer, already is squeezed by the arrival of No. 13 pick Brock Bowers.
Defensive coordinators: Scoring (43.6 points per game combined) in 2023 was the second-lowest for a season since 2009. Defense wins championships, right? Then why were the first 14 players selected (a new record) all from the offensive side? General managers told their defensive coordinators, “Figure it out.”
