Michael Penix Jr. is a playmaker that has produced great numbers
One of the more realistic options that could be there when the Steelers pick is Michael Penix Jr. He is another top quarterback for this class who found a new lease on life after he transferred from his original college. He started at Indiana and had a respectable start to his career. He did not apply huge numbers to his stats, but he was able to move out.
He went onto Washington where he has been for the past two seasons. He has been able to produce back-to-back years that could rival some Heisman numbers. One of the biggest concerns with this quarterback has been his early days of college ball which were up and down due to injury. Penix has been able to stay healthy at Washington and that provided positive results.
Another knock on his game could be the lack of rushing ability that he has not focused on building. It is not that he is an unwilling runner, but he looks to scramble and make plays with his arm, which is a great trait to have. The NFL does seem to require a mobile quarterback and someone like Penix will need to run the ball at the next level when called upon.
Another knock is that Penix will be 24 shortly after the NFL Draft wraps up. The Steelers might be afraid of investing another top pick into a 24-year-old, but Penix has been a proven playmaker at Washington. If he can stay healthy in the NFL, then he could be one of the best quarterbacks coming out of this potentially loaded quarterback group.