The 33rd Team
“There is no question that, based on his 2022 and 2023 tape, Penix is the best intermediate and deep-ball passer in the 2024 QB class.”
Scouting report on Michael Penix Jr., from @gregcosell
𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗦
- Good-sized quarterback with quick, compact delivery with little range of motion. Can generate velocity when it's demanded.
- Consistently plays with pocket mentality, looking to work through progressions and get the ball to receivers.
- Shows pocket traits of working through progressions and the subtle movement to avoid pressure and deliver.
- Makes intermediate throws vs. zone coverage with a refined sense of timing and anticipation. Aggressive.
- Flashes subtle pocket movement, maintaining his balance and throwing on-platform to deliver with a firm base.
- Has snaps in which he eliminated and isolated within structure and timing of route concept. Quick processor.
- Patient in the pocket working through progressions, comfortably coming to his checkdowns when necessary.
- Eyes and feet are consistently married as he works through progressions. Stays within structure of play.
- Shows the movement ability and awareness to make second-reaction throws. Can play outside of structure.
- High consistency level of precise ball location on different kinds of throws. Throws with velocity and touch.
- At his core is a timing- and rhythm-passer executing and distributing within the structure of the pass game.
- What consistently stands out is he's highly accountable to the system and the pass game concepts.
- In 2023, drove the ball with easy velocity. Threw a tight spiral that accelerated but was highly catchable.
- Shows arm strength to sit on his back foot in the pocket and make throws downfield with ball placement.
- Innate feel for the pocket with drops and sets that sync up effectively with route concepts. Executes pass game.
- Comfortable pocket movement to find a quiet place to deliver the ball. Re-sets platform to make vertical throws.
- Understands leverage of defenders and how that affects ball placement. Shows nuanced understanding of high-level pocket play.
- Has movement ability to make second-reaction off-script throws and enough functional mobility to make throws.
𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦
- Throws with a wide base, which often makes it appear as if he is pushing the ball and working hard to throw it.
- Has a tendency to take an extra hitch in the pocket on intermediate throws with result being that he's often a beat late.
- In 2023, showed a low, almost-sidearm delivery that reduced his height significantly and made it appear as if he’s 5-foot-10.
- His ball placement must be more consistently precise for a pocket quarterback. Had too many misses on throws that were there.
- Overall ball placement is a bit erratic, and that’s a concern given that 95 percent of his game will be from the pocket.
- Fluctuates between absolute, pinpoint accuracy at all levels and scratch-your-head, can’t-believe-it misses.