Michael Penix Jr. draft projection: Top 3 landing spots for Washington QB

This year's NFL Draft is loaded with quarterback talent, like Washington's Michael Penix Jr., who led his team to a 13-0 record in his second season with the Huskies.

Penix finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2023 as he took the Huskies all the way to the College Championship game. While they succumbed to Michigan and Penix didn't have his best day, he is still a first-round talent.

In his two seasons with Washington, Michael Penix Jr. threw for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns, and just 19 interceptions as his draft stock continued to rise.

---

Michael Penix Jr.'s scouting report in the spotlight

The one thing that jumps out when looking at Penix Jr. is his arm talent, as he can make every throw on the field, which includes dialling up the launch codes for deep passes downfield.

He is good at going through his progressions and finding the right target before he fires a laser at his receiver. His physicality and stature bode well for the NFL game, and he has great pocket awareness and, when needed, can step up and get out of trouble while keeping his eyes downfield.

Sportskeeda's resident draft expert Tony Pauline has Penix ranked at #46 on his big board of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

---

Michael Penix draft projection: Best fits for Washington QB

Penix Jr. will have no shortage of suitors in the upcoming NFL Draft, and while his age might turn some teams off given he is far more experienced than others, which could limit his upside, Penix Jr. will find himself on an NFL roster. But where?

1] Denver Broncos

Sean Payton and Co. have the 12th overall pick in the draft, which takes them out of the running for the 'top' quarterbacks, but Penix has every chance of falling to the Broncos.

Last week, Pauline reported that the Broncos are a strong contender to trade up in the draft, with Sean Payton seemingly keen on bringing Michigan's J.J. McCarthy to town. But the Broncos are not the only suitors for McCarthy. If none of the top 4 QBs fall to Denver, Payton will have to consider picking Penix Jr.

2] Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have the pick before Denver and could easily swoop on the experienced Michael Penix Jr.

Kirk Cousins is no longer in Minnesota and while the franchise can't land the top prospects, getting Penix Jr. to potentially pair with Justin Jefferson could be the path to success in the NFC North.

3] Seattle Seahawks

This is a little left field, but hear us out. Geno Smith doesn't have all that long left as an NFL starter and while Mike Macdonald brought back the veteran for 2024, his future beyond that is uncertain.

Selecting Michael Penix Jr. and allowing him to sit behind Smith for a year before handing the keys over to him with the likes of D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his main weapons is an enticing prospect.