Michael Penix Jr. is the Tua Tagovailoa of the 2024 NFL Draft Class
Before a scary run of injuries befell him last season, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was playing at an MVP level.
Now that he's back to full strength, Tagovailoa is doing it again, putting up ridiculous numbers through the first three weeks of the 2023 campaign. The Dolphins are 3-0, coming off a dominant 70-20 win over the Denver Broncos, and Tagovailoa's play is one of the biggest reasons why.
That being the case, you couldn't blame any QB-needy NFL team for trying to find their own version of Tagovailoa. Thankfully for them, the 2024 NFL Draft has just the guy in Michael Penix Jr. from Washington.
A transfer from Indiana, all Penix has done since arriving in Seattle has been carving up opposing defenses with relative ease, and putting up ridiculous numbers along the way. The Huskies led the nation in passing yards last season, and they're doing it again this year, averaging 467 yards per game through the air (61 yards more than the next team).
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Gaudy production in college doesn't always equal pro success for quarterbacks, though. Good thing Penix actually has the goods when it comes to his skill set, and the traits that translate well to the next level.
The comparison of Penix to Tagovailoa might seem superficial because they're both left-handed, but look a little deeper, and you'll see them winning in many of the same ways on film.
There's the ability to put the right about of touch, accuracy and power on well-covered throw in the red zone:
What about identifying pre-snap matchups and making perfect throws down the sideline?
Perfect placement on a deep-ball touchdown?
You get the picture.
Both players have great footwork and mechanics, and can maneuver within the pocket and reset their base to give them plenty of power to hit any throw to every level of the field. They have the arm talent, the mental makeup, and everything else it takes to be a franchise quarterback.
The similarities aren't all positive, though.
Durability is obviously the biggest concern with Tagovailoa after last year's injury-riddled season. The same is true for Penix, who has suffered multiple ACL tears during his college career.
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They even have to deal with similar criticisms about their supporting cast, with some doubters wondering whether or not their success is more about having elite receivers (Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for Tagovailoa, Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan for Penix).
Penix will also be a 24-year-old rookie, and when combined with that injury history, some NFL teams might balk at spending a first-round pick on him.
If they do, though, they could be passing up a superstar at the game's most important position, and end up watching the second coming of MVP-level Tagovailoa take another team to the playoffs and beyond.
