Let's be perfectly clear here in saying that no, this isn't another quarterback prospect Joe Schoen and the NY Giants will have to move into the Top 5 to land. However, with the way Michael Penix Jr. looked at both the NFL Combine and his Pro Day, there's NO chance he will be available on Day 2.
The dream for the Giants would have been to take a standout receiver, perhaps Malik Nabers, at No. 6 overall and then bring in a stud quarterback in the second round. Penix has been mocked to the Giants at No. 47 overall in multiple pieces. However, the belief is now that he'll be a Day 1 selection. While that might sting for Schoen, how about trading back into the first round late on April 25 to land Penix anyways?
MP9 showed off the zoomies with that 4.46u 🤯@themikepenix | @UW_Football pic.twitter.com/KwAxygBCjH
— NFL (@NFL) March 28, 2024
Michael Penix Jr. has raised his NFL Draft stock quite a bit following his Pro Day
In Seattle, Penix flew down the field for a 4.46 40-yard dash time. That likely sent a major message to anyone who has been worried about him suffering two different torn ACLs in college. Penix has plenty of speed, but he's of course known for his rocket of a left arm.
This past season, Penix was one of the best quarterbacks in college, helping UW win the Pac-12 title and book a trip to the National Championship Game vs. Michigan. They lost that game, but it doesn't take away from the monster campaign he had for the Huskies.
Now, Penix is hoping that he'll hear his name called during the first round of the NFL Draft and that dream is seeming quite likely for him. That's a bit of a problem for Schoen, because if he's that high on Penix, then he won't be able to wait until the second round to try to bring him to town.
Schoen could see if there's a team in the 20s interested in a trade, or he could say goodbye to Penix and focus on either a safety or offensive lineman in the second round and call it a day with either Nabers, Rome Odunze or Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first round. It would have been nice to see Penix with the G-Men, but unless Schoen gets a trade done, Penix will suit up for a different team in 2024 and beyond.