CAN’T BE IGNORED
Huskies’ Penix stands out at combine
Michael Penix Jr. might ruin a lot of mock drafts this spring.
NFL teams aren’t ignoring his extensive injury history while gauging the draft capital they’d be willing to invest in the Washington Huskies quarterback.
He suffered multiple season-ending injuries while playing at Indiana prior to transferring, including a tear of his right ACL twice. That scares plenty of evaluators in the league.
And yet, the left-handed Maxwell Award winner stood out as the best thrower Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium, just as he had at the Senior Bowl, after January’s national title game appearance.
And multiple scouts view him as one of this draft’s more capable quarterbacks to step in and play early – definitely the most prepared of the second cluster of QBs that his injury flags have dropped him into, for now.
“That’s a big reason why I came back for this last season: to have another fully healthy season and show that I’m ready to compete and can do it at the next level,” Penix, 23, said this week. “At this point, I can’t control if there (are) still questions about the injury history.”
His buildup to the draft, therefore, will be fascinating. He’s a top 10 talent whose resume intimidates teams in the first round, but he can clearly help someone in 2024.
Would the Seahawks add him in-state to Geno Smith’s QB room after trading back a bit from No. 16 to acquire more picks?
Would the Dolphins, who own picks No. 21 and 55 in the top two rounds, go all-in on lefties and make Penix Tua Tagovailoa’s backup?
Would the Patriots, who hold pick No. 34 near the top of the second round, take a flier on Penix if they somehow don’t take a quarterback at No. 3 overall?
“I feel like what I bring to the table, I’ll be able to elevate everybody around me,” Penix said. “And I feel like I’ll definitely be able to find ways to win no matter where I go.”
BUCK UP
Oregon running back Bucky Irving stood out as a smooth and intriguing prospect during Saturday’s on-field drills. Giants running backs coach Joel Thomas was helping to run the RB workout, too, standing close on the sideline to observe the backs run out-routes, catch the ball and turn upfield.
Receiving ability matters to the Giants as they watch these backs. They’re clearly in the market at the position. And an RB pick will matter even more if they don’t re-sign Saquon Barkley.
Irving caught 56 passes for the Ducks last season, rushed for 1,180 yards and scored 13 TDs. It’s not difficult to envision Irving being deployed like the Saints’ Alvin Kamara, a third-round pick himself, with the right coach and offense.
The Giants hold picks No. 70, 108 and 140 in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. USC’s MarShawn Lloyd remains a player to watch for them, too. And Michigan’s Blake Corum delivered a good workout, too.
But Irving is a fun player to watch and projects as a real weapon. Keep an eye on him wherever he lands.
SOME OTHER STANDOUTS
Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy stole the show by running a combine record 4.21 40-yard dash, breaking John Ross’ mark of 4.22. But Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey turned in one of the best Saturdays of any prospect, putting on a route-running show while also running a 4.39 40-yard dash. McConkey looks like the kind of polished player who could have a long, productive career. Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell and Florida State receiver Keon Coleman also seemed to help themselves while catching passes from the QBs … Tennessee’s Joe Milton III and South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler both threw the ball extremely well. Giants QB coach Shea Tierney helped run the quarterback workouts. Tierney put Milton through his early throws 1-on-1, while Broncos QB coach Davis Webb worked with Oregon’s Bo Nix. Milton threw one of his deep passes 70 yards in the air, wowing the crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium. Both Milton and Rattler had a strong week at the Senior Bowl (Rattler was named Senior Bowl MVP). Now they’ve backed it up with a strong combine. They have definitely improved their draft stock … Washington slot receiver Jalen McMillan glided and profiled as an interesting mid-round addition for a team looking for some size and reliability inside … Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy started unevenly but delivered his best throws when he could open his body and flick it outside to his right and deep downfield.