Falcons QB Michael Penix Back of the Class in CBS Sports 2024 NFL Draft Regrade
Posted November 29, 2025
The Atlanta Falcons surprised much of the NFL world in April of 2024 when they selected Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft. It's not that Penix himself wasn't worthy of being a first-round selection.
However, it was unprecedented for a team to sign a big-money free agent quarterback, signaling that they were aiming for a serious playoff run, to then use their entire draft on potential replacements for 30-plus year old starters.
The Falcons got virtually no help in 2024 from their draft picks of Penix, and defenders Ruke Orhorhoro, Brandon Dorlus, and Bralen Trice as they deputized veterans (or were injured in the case of Trice).
After a 6-3 start to the 2024 season, the Falcons are 6-13 since. Penix took over as starter with three games to play last year and showed flashes of brilliance. The strong-armed, gun-slinging rookie took a step back in 2025 though, before eventually succumbing to a knee injury.
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CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson recently regraded the 2024 NFL Draft, and he gave the Falcons' pick of Penix a 'D' after nearly two seasons of evaluation.
'Even though he started just five games as a rookie, Penix ranked third among all quarterbacks in explosive play rate (10.8%)," Wilson wrote of the big-play potential Penix showed in 2024.
"But the concerns that plagued him throughout the draft process -- his inability to stay healthy in college, where he had two ACL surgeries and two more shoulder surgeries -- cropped up again in Week 11, when he suffered another season-ending ACL injury. Even before the injury, Penix Jr. had struggled, completing just 60.2% of his throws in 2025."
Penix's passer rating is 88.5 and his QBR is 56.7, 22nd and 16th in the NFL, respectively. Ironically, both metrics finish ahead of No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, who received an 'A'. from Wilson.
Williams also has 306 yards rushing and three touchdowns, but more importantly, the Bears have a 9-3 record under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. It's amazing what winning can do for the perception of how players are performing.
Penix's grade was one of two D's handed out by Wilson. The other was to the Vikings' No. 10 overall pick of quarterback J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury in the preseason and has struggled mightily in 2025.
Only one player finished below Penix and McCarthy: Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darius Robinson got a D-.
As the Falcons were on the clock in 2024, there were thoughts that they might go all-in on Cousins after signing him to a $100-million guaranteed contract. Wide receiver Rome Odunze was a popular choice. The Bears got an 'A' for him at No. 9 after offering to trade up a spot with the Falcons to select him.
Edge rusher was the most popular selection for Atlanta, with UCLA's Laitu Latu and Alabama's Dallas Turner being the most popular picks in mock drafts. The Colts got a B+ for Latu at No. 15, and the Vikings got a C for Turner at No. 17.
While nothing quarterback has worked out the way the Falcons hoped when they doubled up in 2024, they can expect to get much better grades in 2025. Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are No. 1 and No. 2 in sacks among rookies.
While the Falcons' trade for Pearce cost them what looks to be a top 15 pick in 2026, ask any Falcons fan if they'd trade Pearce for a first-round pick. Pearce looks like a budding star at edge, and young, cost-controlled edge rushers typically garner
two first-round picks in a trade.
4 Canadiens Ready to Make the Golden Knights Shout “Sacre Bleu!” on Friday Night
The Vegas Golden Knights have another tough test entering Friday's game against the Montreal Canadiens. It could mean a similar game to Wednesday's Ottawa game.
When you're in the middle of a weird stretch like the Vegas Golden Knights, you want an easy day at work. They haven't had much luck with that this season, having eight overtime losses. The Golden Knights can't figure out how to operate with so much space and need someone to take their frustrations out on.
Unfortunately, the Montreal Canadiens don't appear to be that team. They have a record of 12-7-3 and 27 points, with seven coming in regulation. Imagine what would happen if Friday's contest went into *GASP* overtime!
Let's not forget that this is one of the young gun teams in the NHL. With countless stars like Nick Suzuki leading the way, Montreal could be one of the future NHL dynasties. Forget the Edmonton Oilers because the Canadiens could be the team that ends Canada's Stanley Cup drought.
So, let's look at four prominent stars that are leading the charge. These players can cause all sorts of trouble for Vegas on Friday, ranging from established players to spry spring chickens. Here are four Canadiens who could leave the Golden Knights saying, "Sacre Bleu," on Friday.
1.) Nick Suzuki
The one that got away.
The man involved in the Max Pacioretty trade.
Call him whatever you please. But one thing's certain about Suzuki: he's a bona fide star. The former first-round pick has seven goals and 19 assists entering Friday's contest. That includes four goals and seven assists on the power play.
Overall, he has 145 goals and 256 assists during his seven-year career. Fans might have some traumatic experiences watching a former Golden Knights pick burn them on Friday.
2.) Cole Caufield
13 goals and 10 assists is newsworthy enough to grab anyone's attention. But a deeper dive will reveal how valuable the right winger is for the Canadiens.
Caufield has a Corsi of 60% and a Fenwick of 63%. Add a shooting percentage of 21% and the Golden Knights' structure will be greatly tested on Friday.
That's especially true when it comes to unblocked shots. Caufield's shooting percentage on unblocked shots above expected is 5.3%, which is currently a career-high. Bruce Cassidy's shot-blocking structure must come through against Caufield by limiting his space.
3.) Ivan Demidov
The 19-year-old is already making waves in the NHL with five goals and 13 assists. What's more is that nine of those assists were primary. But the Russian winger isn't just an offensive threat.
He can also take the puck away. Demidov has seven takeaways entering Friday's game. He can also create rebounds, giving his teammates juicy opportunities to pounce on.
4.) Oliver Kapanen
Ivan Demidov isn't the only young superstar that Golden Knights fans should watch for. If you're looking for a young goal-scoring center, look no further than Oliver Kapanen.
The Swedish forward has seven goals this season, including a short-handed goal. Take note of that last bit because the Golden Knights can't afford any turnovers on the unit. That's especially true with Vegas having the seventh-most giveaways per game (16.57).
