Quarterbacks consistently take center stage in discussions surrounding the NFL Draft, and this year is no exception. This is particularly significant in the Pacific Northwest, where the Seattle Seahawks might be searching for a lasting solution at the quarterback position.
The potential departure of UW Huskies standout Michael Penix Jr. to the professional league adds to the quarterback-centric narrative, given his impressive two-year performance at Washington.
Penix has become a somewhat divisive prospect due to being 24 years old and carrying an extensive injury history, enduring four season-ending injuries at Indiana before transferring to UW.
However, despite these concerns, he led the nation in passing yards in the last two seasons, contributing to the Huskies’ impressive 25-3 record during that period. Additionally, Penix secured a second-place finish in Heisman voting this year.
Mock drafts vary in their projections for Penix, with some confidently placing him as a first-round pick, while others, like CBS’ John Edwards, do not include him in the first round at all.
Dave Wyman, a former NFL linebacker and current Seahawks radio broadcasts analyst, sought insights from NFL sources about Penix and received positive feedback.
In discussing Penix, Wyman shared, “I talked to a few scouts that I know in the NFL and asked them who’s the best quarterback, and they say Michael Penix.” However, there are reservations about his playing style, with some characterizing him as a bit of a “gunslinger” at times.
One evaluation even drew a comparison to Brett Favre, highlighting Penix’s ability to make extraordinary throws but acknowledging occasional inconsistencies, akin to Favre occasionally “sailing one.”
Wyman expressed surprise at the fact that some do not consider Penix a first-round pick. When his co-host Bob Stelton suggested that Penix’s recent national championship loss to Michigan in his last game might contribute to this perception, Wyman agreed, stating, “I think so. I think there’s something to that, definitely.”
In John Edwards’ mock draft, the Seahawks are projected to pick a quarterback at No. 16, but Penix is not the chosen candidate. With three other quarterbacks already selected in the draft, Edwards opts for Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy as the Seahawks’ pick.
Reflecting on this scenario, Wyman noted, “Now that you’re looking through that, if that’s the case, the Seahawks at No. 16 may have a shot at Michael Penix. And I think that would be very interesting.” He expressed excitement about the possibility, acknowledging that while Penix might not necessarily be a typical No. 16 pick, the prospect of the Seahawks drafting him adds an element of excitement to the situation.
