After one preseason game, the Atlanta Falcons aren’t proud of their controversial draft pick, Michael Penix Jr., but they also don’t feel any regrets about acquiring him.
Penix was up and down in his first NFL preseason action. He had some good plays, like a deep ball that went 41 yards. He also missed a few passes that he’ll likely want to recover. That’s to be expected for a rookie in his first NFL snaps. He was perfectly fine for a preseason debut.
Penix completed 9 of 16 passes for 104 yards in about a quarter and a half of work Friday night against the Miami Dolphins. He looked like he belonged on an NFL field, albeit with some room for improvement.
Kirk Cousins said he wanted to play some snaps in the first preseason game, but the coaching staff decided otherwise. Cousins is coming off a torn Achilles tendon and the Falcons don’t want to risk him playing in their first preseason game.
That set the stage for Penix, the surprising eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft. Penix isn’t expected to see much action with the Falcons once the regular season begins unless Cousins is injured or completely ineffective, so the preseason will be his only guaranteed chance to make an impression.
Penix completed his first pass, but that set up a third down, and on that third down he attempted a deep pass down the right sideline and threw it a little too far. It was incomplete and Atlanta punted.
Penix didn’t get many opportunities on Atlanta’s second drive. His second-down pass was complete but receiver Chris Blair fumbled it and the Dolphins recovered it.
Penix and Blair connected for a big play right after Blair’s fumble. Penix showed nice touch on a deep pass, Blair caught it and the Falcons picked up 41 yards. That was the highlight of the night for the rookie QB.
Penix made some mistakes. He threw too high to Casey Washington on an open pass early in the first quarter. He ran a third-down pass under pressure that was thrown too far and incomplete, setting up a field goal.
Penix had a chance to score his first NFL preseason touchdown late in the first quarter after a Falcons interception. His pass to tight end John FitzPatrick nearly reached the end zone, but Fitzpatrick was tackled at the 1-yard line. Penix’s pass to Casey Washington was thrown too far. On fourth down, the Falcons went for it, turned the ball over from the 1-yard line and scored.
The Falcons’ first drive of the second quarter didn’t go very far, as Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham quickly took advantage of a third-down play by Penix. Needham punted it away and Atlanta punted.
The Falcons have said Penix will play a lot this preseason and Cousins is unlikely to play any preseason games. That will be good for Penix, because his opportunities could become scarce once September rolls around.