WATCH: ‘Solid’ Michael Penix Jr.’s insane pace on the throw has multiple Falcons receivers dropping catches in practice

Penix hit the Falcons training ground with full force, making receivers miss their catches.

WATCH: ‘Solid’ Michael Penix Jr.’s insane pace on the throw has multiple Falcons receivers dropping catches in practice

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at rookie minicamp (Image via IMAGO)

Michael Penix Jr. will have to justify the Atlanta Falcons’ reasons behind drafting him at the Top of the 2024 NFL Draft. He may not be the fastest quarterback ever, but one skill sets him apart from the rest of the crew: his arm strength.

It was on full display during the recent rookie minicamp on Friday at the Falcons facility. In between going through the playbook, Penix could be seen throwing a few darts.

His passes had so much pace behind them that his teammates were having a hard time catching them. This was an encouraging sign for head coach Raheem Morris.

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Coach Morris, after the camp, told USA Today Sports that people have said and would continue to say negative about their selection of Penix. However, after seeing the former Washington man practice, has reassured him that their hunch was correct.

If I sat here and told you that something jumped off the page that didn’t jump off before. That would be me telling you that because everybody was such a naysayer about the whole [draft] process. I’m not going to do that. It was exactly what I thought the guy was.
Raheem Morris said

Last month before the draft in Detroit, an NFL coach texted Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz about Penix’s arm strength. While appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Schultz revealed what the NFL coach told him.

Freak show! The dude runs 4.5 and then jumps 37 inches. Arm strength is crazy in person. Locked in 1st rounder.
Jordan Schultz said

Michael Penix Jr. wants to learn everything he can from Kirk Cousins

ESPN draft specialist Mel Kiper Jr.’s projection of Penix being selected in the second round fell through. The shock hit Kirk Cousins the hardest, as only a couple of weeks ago the veteran quarterback signed a 4-year $160 million deal.

WATCH: 'Solid' Michael Penix Jr's insane pace on the throw has multiple Falcons receivers dropping catches in practice
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr (#9) is shown on the field during a break during Rookie Minicamp at the Falcons Training Camp. (Image via IMAGO)

With the addition of the CFP finalist, Cousins will have a chip on his shoulder. He would have to keep on proving himself, otherwise Penix would be ready to replace him in a heartbeat.

The 24-year-old rookie understands the pressure, both of them will be under.

At this level in the NFL, everybody is under the spotlight. You’ve got to prove yourself.
Michael Penix said

However, he will be learning everything from Cousins.

For me, it’s just being able to connect with him, get to know him not just as a player, but as a person as well.
Michael Penix added

Penix was one of the best quarterbacks in college football last season. He led the Huskies to the CFP finals, after recording 363 completions for 4903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

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