On the eve of the NFL Draft, it’s time for media members, fans, scouts, front office executives, and everyone else to empty the chambers and unload all of their rumors, speculation, and reports ahead of Thursday night’s extravaganza.
One insider has all of the latest intel ahead of the first round and shared who she believes is the “best-kept secret” in the draft to look out for.
The Athletic’s Diana Russini had a chance to speak with an NFL GM recently who called Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. the best-kept secret in this draft, noting that fans should not be shocked if Penix enters the conversation amongst the consensus top-4 quarterbacks in this draft: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy.
It’s NFL Draft Eve, and @dmrussini has all of the latest intel ahead of Thursday’s first round.
Could Jayden Daniels slip? Could the Patriots trade No. 3?
And how could the Giants, Broncos and Raiders sneak into all of this quarterback madness?https://t.co/WYHOIGi3QO pic.twitter.com/nMPuMo9Flv
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 24, 2024
Penix’s stock has soared in recent weeks after an impressive Pro Day, though his last season at Washington should have been enough to convince scouts of his abilities on it’s own.
Penix led Washington to the National Championship game and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, but over his college career, he suffered two torn ACLs and two season-ending shoulder injuries, which is a big reason why teams have apparently been hesitant to include him atop the QB rankings in this class.
That being said, there are a lot of QB-needy teams this year and Penix could go in the top 10 because of it.
The conversation could start at No. 6 when the New York Giants are on the clock, with the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, and Las Vegas Raiders all lurking just outside the top 10 as well.
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