Falcons' Kyle Pitts reacted like many to Michael Penix Jr. draft pick

It turns out Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was among those stunned when the club controversially made Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. the eighth pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

"I'm very shocked," Pitts said, per Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital. "I’m not gonna lie. I did think we were going defense, I’m not going to lie. That definitely kind of changes the dynamic."

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk ripped the Falcons for spending the No. 8 selection on a QB who presumably won't start after Atlanta signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180M contract that included $100M guaranteed less than two months ago. Pitts hasn't yet caught a meaningful pass thrown by Cousins, and the 23-year-old indicated on Thursday night he didn't hate the Penix decision. 

"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 and see how he operates in the building on and off the field," Pitts explained. "He’s a great young player. I’ve been watching him." 

Pitts also noted that Penix is "a slinger." That's all well and good, but the Falcons shouldn't have needed to add such a player to the roster after acquiring Cousins so early in free agency. Even Pitts suggested that he assumed Penix "was sticking in the purple" and heading to the Minnesota Vikings via the 11th pick. Minnesota instead traded up to choice No. 10 to draft Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Cousins, who turns 36 in August, reportedly was left "a bit stunned" by Atlanta's choice of Penix instead of a player who theoretically could've helped the club pursue a championship between now and February 2025.