Ryan Tannehill admits he was ‘shocked’ to see Falcons draft Michael Penix Jr despite $180,000,000 Kirk Cousins plan

Most experts and analysts expected a maximum of four quarterbacks to go off the board in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft but the Atlanta Falcons had other plans. Despite bringing Kirk Cousins to town in free agency and handing him a four-year, $180 million contract, the Falcons hierarchy surprised fans and analysts alike by picking Washington's Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick.

Naturally, the Falcons' decision was subjected to much debate with many wondering why Atlanta chose to draft a quarterback with Rome Odunze, Olu Fashanu and Laiatu Latu all on the board. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot later told reporters:

"If you believe in a quarterback, you have to take him. And if he sits for four or five years, that's a great problem to have because we're doing so well at that position. So, it's as simple as, if you see a guy you believe in at that position, you have to take him."

It appears even former Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill was equally bewildered with the pick. Appearing on Dianna Russini's Scoop City podcast this week, Tannehill said:

“I was definitely shocked to see that. Kirk was coming off that big deal in the offseason and then drafting a quarterback in the first round. As a quarterback you wanna see weapons or just a really talented guy added to a position that can hopefully contribute immediately."

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Ryan Tannehill questions Falcons' draft strategy to aid Kirk Cousins

The free agent quarterback opined that the Falcons could have brought in a guy who could help out immediately, given that they are committed to Kirk Cousins as the starter.

"Bringing a guy who, hopefully if things go well for you as a starter he doesn’t hit the field ever during the time you’re there," Tannehill said. "This feels like a missing piece like they could’ve helped you out and helped the team out immediately. My guess is management has a long-term vision that didn’t include making a big impact right now.

"It’s a weird dynamic.”

That's not to say Cousins doesn't have any weapons to work with this year. The Falcons' depth chart is pretty well stocked at RB and TE though the WR room could use some talent. But with Cousins under center, the Falcons have a pretty decent chance of making the playoffs in a comparatively weak NFC South.