Falcons' Kyle Pitts Surprised by Penix Pick, Praises Young QB's Talent

Atlanta Falcons' tight end Kyle Pitts expressed excitement about the selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, despite the surprise move.

The Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL world with their selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, leaving many scratching their heads. However, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has offered a positive reaction to the pick, praising the young QB's talent and potential.

During an NFL Draft live stream with Bleacher Report, Pitts learned of the Penix pick in real-time. While the entire panel was taken aback, Pitts had a notably positive reaction.

"That's a slinger right there, man," said Pitts, the Falcons' first-round pick in 2021. "Now, as a younger guy who loves to hang around older people, I think this is great for him to learn from such a professional like Kirk [Cousins] and see how he operates in the building on and off the field. He's a great young player. I've been watching him."

Pitts explained that he believes Penix will benefit from being under the tutelage of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who the Falcons signed to a $180 million contract earlier this offseason. He expressed confidence that Penix can learn from Cousins and develop into a valuable asset for the team.

"I'm very shocked," Pitts said. "I'm not gonna lie. I did think we were going defense. That definitely kind of changes the dynamic."

Parsons agreed with Pitts, saying, "I did not see this coming."

Pitts went on to reveal that he had expected the Falcons to select a defensive player with the eighth overall pick, and that Penix's selection came as a surprise. He also acknowledged that the purple he referred to was the Minnesota Vikings, who traded up to No. 10 with the New York Jets to select Michigan's J.J. McCarthy as their potential franchise quarterback.

Despite his initial surprise, Pitts emphasized that he believes Penix has the talent to succeed in Atlanta. He expressed excitement about the possibility of working with Penix and contributing to the team's success.

The Falcons' decision to draft Penix has raised questions about the future of Cousins, who is entering the second year of his four-year contract with Atlanta. However, Pitts has remained positive about the situation, suggesting that Penix's arrival can ultimately benefit both him and Cousins.

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