Atlanta Falcons DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has seemingly been rising up draft boards this offseason, and NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that he could enter the discussion to be one of the first four quarterbacks off the board. "It's been assumed the top four QBs are Williams, Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy," Russini wrote "But don't be surprised if Penix enters the discussion come Thursday." Penix, who will be 24 years old during his rookie season, had a monster two-year stretch with Washington after four injury-riddled campaigns at Indiana. In 2022 and 2023 combined, the lefty posted 9,544 passing yards, 67 passing touchdowns, and 67 interceptions. He ran between a 4.51- and 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the Huskies' Pro Day, so his 226 career rushing yards might not demonstrate his full rushing ability.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is scheduled to have dinner with the New England Patriots' brass and coaching staff on Monday night in Foxboro and has a top-30 visit with the team on Tuesday, according to sources. With the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, the Patriots are looking at all of this year's top quarterbacks not named Caleb Williams, who is expected to be taken first overall by the Chicago Bears. The Washington Commanders are also in the market for a signal-caller and have the second overall pick. If the Commanders and Patriots don't trade back in the first round, the expectation is that QBs will be taken with at least the first three picks in this year's draft. Although Penix's draft stock has risen since his pro day, it would still be a surprise if New England didn't come away with either LSU's Jayden Daniels or North Carolina's Drake Maye with the third overall pick.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had dinner with the New York Giants in Seattle after his pro day and then had a private workout with the Minnesota Vikings in Seattle, according to sources. According to multiple sources, Penix will have top-30 official visits with the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders. The 23-year-old signal-called could sneak into the first round in April's NFL draft after impressing with a sub-4.6-second 40-yard dash during his pro day last week. Penix didn't run much in college after suffering two torn ACLs, but the fact that he still has game-changing speed will make him more attractive to NFL clubs. Injury concerns aside, Penix has become more interesting for teams that lose out on the top tier of QBs in this year's draft.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) said his recovery from a torn right Achilles that he suffering on Oct. 29 (Week 8) has been progressing "up and to the right." He also said that he's "optimistic to be full speed at practice" before the team breaks for summer in June. It's quite the optimistic statement from the 35-year-old veteran, but even if he's not quite full-go at the end of the team's offseason program, Cousins should be able to take part in training camp at the end of July. It's especially important since Cousins will be learning a new offense in Atlanta and trying to gel with his new receivers. The talent surrounding him shouldn't be a problem, as he'll have Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts to work with. Fantasy managers should be more considered about an aging QB coming off a serious injury.

Free-agent wide receiver Darnell Mooney is joining the Atlanta Falcons on a three-year, $39 million deal, reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The 2020 fifth-round pick out of Tulane posted 81 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns with Andy Dalton and a rookie Justin Fields as his primary quarterbacks in 2021, but he has not matched the production since. In 2022 and 2023 combined, he totaled 71 receptions for 907 yards and three touchdowns. However, he's now set to play with the best quarterback of his career, as Atlanta secured Kirk Cousins on a four-year deal on Monday. Mooney figures to be behind Drake London and Kyle Pitts in the target pecking order, but Cousins has supported up to three, and sometimes four, fantasy-relevant pass-catchers in a single season. Mooney is now on the fantasy radar as a sleeper and could hold flex value in 2024.