Rookie Scouting Profile: Michael Penix Jr.

FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. (QB) Washington

Ht.	Wt.	40-Time	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-2	216	4.57*	Late 1st	3.10	Tua Tagovailoa

* Pro Day

College Production

Penix was born in Cookeville, TN on May 8, 2000, but was mostly raised in Dade City, Florida. Attended Tampa Bay Technical High School where he compiled 4,243 passing yards and a 61-to-6 TD-to-INT ratio in two seasons as starter. Penix enrolled at Indiana on February 18, 2018 and completed 21-of-34 passes for 219 yards and a score in three games while redshirting. In 2019, Penix started six games and led the Hoosiers to a 5-1 record in those games before a shoulder injury ended his season. Named Indiana’s starter ahead of 2020, Penix again made six starts with a 5-1 record and earned Second-team All-Big-Ten honors before tearing his ACL in a 27-11 home victory against Maryland. 2021 campaign was derailed by a left shoulder injury after five starts. On December 14, 2021, Penix transferred to Washington. Ranked second in FBS with 4,641 passing yards and was named to the All-Pac-12 Second-team in 2022. Concluded college career winning the Maxwell Award, was named Second-team AP All-American, and was a Heisman Trophy finalist after leading the Huskies to the national championship game.

Strengths

• Strong throwing arm with outstanding accuracy and delivery on deep balls.

• Impressive Pro Day measurables. Posted 97th percentile wingspan, 88th percentile hand size, 93rd percentile 40 time, and both his vert and broad jumps were in the top 5th percentile.

• Good decision-maker who won’t waste a lot of throws or turn the ball over. Adept at reading through multiple progressions.

• Has experience taking snaps under center and in a pro-style offense.

• Good feel for pressure. Knows how to step up and get rid of the ball to avoid hits. Only 7.6% of his dropbacks in 2023 resulted in a sack.

Concerns

• Is already 24 years old with two right ACL tears and major injuries to both shoulders on his resume.

• Accuracy drops off when forced outside of the pocket.

• Throwing mechanics and release are inconsistent and need refinement. Issues could be further exasperated by the fact that Penix is a southpaw.

• College playoffs are good indicators of the best (phenomenal vs. Texas) and worst (struggled vs. Michigan) that Penix brings to the table.

• Production in 2023 was helped by an outstanding supporting cast.

Fantasy Outlook

The two most recent games that Michael Penix played are indicative of his full college resume. There are plenty of positives, like deep-ball accuracy, decision-making, and overall command. However, there are concerns exposed by Michigan that make Penix a polarizing prospect.

His draft stock seems to be on the rise. Penix is mocked to the Raiders at 13, which would be good and bad for his 2024 fantasy value. Las Vegas signed Gardner Minshew which could lead to a developmental season for Penix. That’s troubling for a rookie who is already 24. Especially in dynasty formats.

Then there are the two major knee and shoulder injuries to consider. That’s a lot of risk for dynasty managers to take into account.

Unless Penix falls outside the top 20 in Superflex rookie drafts, I do not anticipate rostering him much.

Other Rookie Profiles

See where Michael Penix Jr. ranks in Jody’s 2024 rookie rankings.

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