Michael Penix Jr. waiver wire fantasy outlook Week 16: Should you add Falcons QB?

Michael Penix Jr. is finally here. The eighth overall pick of the 2024 Draft will make his first-ever professional start on Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons welcome the New York Giants in a game crucial to their playoff hopes.

Given the circumstances, his selection is a shocker. Kirk Cousins was fresh off signing a monstrous four-year, $180-million extension the month before the Draft, with the plan being for the former Washington Husky to study the game from the bench before assuming the role.

However, Cousins and the Falcons struggled to dominate the NFC South despite their superior roster, so this change despite coming off a win at the Las Vegas Raiders.

The question among fantasy managers minds is: does Michael Penix Jr. possess waiver wire sleeper potential? Let's find out.

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Michael Penix Jr. waiver wire fantasy outlook for Week 16

Atlanta Falcons v Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Getty

The simple answer to the question is: yes, Michael Penix Jr. belongs in a waiver wire.

One must first look at the weapons he's working with. Starting on the ground, he has Bijan Robinson dominating as a member of the thousand-yard club, complemented by Tyler Allgeier, who has had over 500 yards as his primary backup and supported by tight end Charlie Woerner.

However, it's in the air where things get exciting. Drake London has established himself as the WR1 of the future, setting a career-high in touchdowns and finding himself closer than ever to hitting a thousand yards - the benchmark that usually puts wide receivers up for Pro Bowl consideration - for the first time in his career.

He's complemented in that regard by another near-thousand yarder, Darnell Monney, who has also set a career-high in touchdowns. Also present are slot man/returner Ray-Ray McCloud, who has thrived after a season-ending knee injury to Rondale Moore; and tight end Kyle Pitts, who has been regaining some semblance of the form that made him a Pro Bowler as a rookie.

However, it gets even better, as the Giants' defense has proven to be at best a mixed bag. The pass rush led by nose tackle Dexter Lawrence and outside linebackers Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari, has for the most part been elite; but two of them are injured, significantly hampering the team.

The run-stopping inside linebacker tandem of Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke are good, but it's in the secondary where the problems arise. Extending Daniel Jones cost the front office not only Saquon Barkley, but arguably also burgeoning safety Xavier McKinney, who has become an elite ballhawk as a Green Bay Packer.

The result is a largely anonymous collection of defensive backs whom Michael Penix Jr. and his weapons could utterly humiliate, both in the air and on the ground - a preview of what he could do next season if he's fully elevated.