'Drafted in first dozen picks no matter what': Falcons land Michael Penix in CBS mock

The NFL Draft is a week away, and everyone seems to have their thumb on the pulse of Flowery Branch. Most mock drafts have the Falcons taking a defender, with Dallas Turner being Atlanta’s more often than any other.

However, I wouldn’t be so sure that Terry Fontenot takes the Alabama product. Jared Verse and Laiatu Latu are possibilities, and as Daniel Jeremiah recently pointed out, Byron Murphy shouldn’t be counted out.

Hell, there’s a non-zero chance that the Falcons take a quarterback, as Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports recently pointed out in his latest mock draft.

The league insider has Michael Penix going 8th overall to Atlanta to be Kirk Cousins’ successor, but what’s especially intriguing about the pick is Jones’ commentary.

“The Washington QB has been rising lately, and I believe he’ll be drafted in the first dozen picks no matter what happens next week. The Falcons paid a lot of money to a 36-year-old quarterback coming off an Achilles injury in a deal they can get out of in two years if they must,” Jones said.

That is certainly a take. No matter what happens, Penix will go in the first dozen picks. So if it’s not the Falcons, Jones believes one of the Vikings, Broncos, or Raiders will select the Washington product.

I haven’t been shy about my opinion on the Heisman Trophy runner-up. I think that he benefited a lot from a great Washington coaching staff, excellent pass catchers, and weak opposing defenses.

That’s not to say he can’t be a productive pro; I’m just not the biggest fan. I’m also no quarterback guru, so use your own judgment, but what isn’t debatable is that the Falcons would surprise a lot of people if they draft Michael Penix.

Jonathan Jones isn’t alone, though. Brian Baldinger had a similar opinion on Atlanta’s draft plans, taking to Twitter to say that he believes the Falcons will take Penix.

I would be quite upset about the Falcons investing $180 million in Kirk Cousins only to use their most valuable draft pick on a successor before the veteran even takes a snap in Atlanta.