ESPN analysts disagree over Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr.

Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky made it known during Friday's edition of the "Get Up" program he was among those initially "perplexed" after the Atlanta Falcons made Washington Huskies signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. the eighth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Per Ben Axelrod of Awful Announcing, Orlovsky later explained why he now understands the move even though Atlanta signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M guaranteed back in March. 

"No. 1, they had Michael Penix as the second-best quarterback in this draft, attached to [No. 2 pick] Jayden Daniels," Orlovsky said about the Falcons. "No. 2, they expect to be very good with Kirk Cousins over the next couple of years. And in experience last night, realizing how expensive it is to get up in the draft when you are back-half like that and go get a quarterback, they realized it’s going to be too expensive, potentially." 

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons as the betting favorites at -130 odds to claim the NFC South division title for the upcoming season. Cousins turns 36-years-old this summer, but most didn't assume before Thursday evening that Atlanta would use the No. 8 pick to land a day-one starter. 

However, Orlovsky shared that individuals within the Falcons left a pre-draft workout comparing Penix to Los Angeles Rams star Matthew Stafford.

"You don’t take a quarterback in the top 10 unless your owner is not only on board with it, wants it," Orlovsky continued. "I completely understand the thought process by Atlanta now. I understand the viewpoint of who they got in Michael Penix. And I actually think it’s very smart for them to prepare for — in two years, there is no development needed."

Fellow ESPN analyst Mina Kimes offered a different opinion while speaking with Orlovsky on the "First Take" show. 

"If you think you're going to be good, which is why you pay Kirk Cousins $100M guaranteed, you're doing your team a disservice by not making your team better so that you can compete now," Kimes said, as shared by Mike McDaniel of Sports Illustrated. "In this draft, you have an opportunity to either take the best edge-rusher available or trade down and take multiple shots on goal. They did neither of those things."

Kimes added that Penix turns 24-years-old next month and, thus, should want to play sooner than some other rookie quarterbacks.  

Cousins said earlier this spring he wanted Atlanta to be the "final stop" of his career and wanted to "finish strong" with the Falcons. One wonders if he's already having second thoughts about his free agency decision.