Why Vikings Fans Shouldn’t Overreact If Michael Penix Jr Is The Pick
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings are going to come away with a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft, at this point the question is which one. There are many mocks that have the Vikings trading up to select JJ McCarthy or Drake Maye. If the 4th pick passes by, and the Vikings don’t have their franchise quarterback, there will be a lot of panic among Vikings fans, but there shouldn’t be.
The Vikings hold the 11th and 23rd pick, and former Washington Huskies standout Michael Penix Jr could still be on the board for that second pick. Many Vikings fans might not want to hear it, but Penix Jr would be a great quarterback to come away with.
If the Vikings are drafting Penix Jr that means that the Vikings still have the 11th pick that they can use to fill another need. One of the big needs the Vikings have is defensive tackle, and a perfect guy to plug in play is Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. He is currently the number one ranked interior defensive lineman on Mel Kiper Jr’s big board and fills a major need for the purple and gold. Last season for Texas he finished with eight sacks and was consistently in opposing backfields. Illinois standout defensive tackle Johnny Newton is another option that the Vikings could go with if they want to go defense with the first pick.
The reviews are mixed about Penix Jr, and some might believe it’s a stretch to draft him at 23, but there are rumors that the Vikings coaching staff really likes him. Bleacher Reports Jordan Schultz reported that the entire Vikings staff flew out to have a private workout with Penix Jr after his pro day.
Matthew Coller of Purple Insider believes the Vikings would be very delighted to come away with Penix Jr if they aren’t able to trade up.
“If the Vikings can’t trade up and miss out on the top four, Penix Jr. is a heck of a consolation prize,” Coller said. “He has a ridiculous arm and led college football in passing. He took his team to a place they rarely go in the national championship and he’s a natural born leader. You could see him dropping deep shots to [Justin Jefferson] for a long time”
In 2023 Penix Jr led Washington to a 14-1 record with the only loss coming against the Michigan Wolverines in the National Championship game. Penix Jr threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Late in the season especially during crunch time, Penix Jr made winning plays when it mattered most. When first looking at the film of the former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback, the deep ball stands out. Penix Jr has some ridiculous arm talent, that would be the perfect complement to Jefferson’s game. At times he forgets to take the easy throw underneath, but that is something that the coaching staff along with Kevin O’Connell would be able to work on with him.
Outside of Caleb Williams, there aren’t really any guarantees at quarterback in the 2024 draft. If the asking price to get to the third or 4th pick is the two first-round picks this year, and another first-round pick in 2025, that is a hell of a lot of capital to give up to get someone who is guaranteed. If the Vikings were able to get Penix late in the first round, that means they didn’t have to mortgage the future, and they also get another weapon for Brian Flores defense to improve it. It might not be a very popular opinion, but Penix Jr would look good continuing to play in the purple for many years to come.
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