The Falcons made the first major surprise of the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix with the No. 8 overall pick. Penix was one of the main characters of the 2023 college football season, leading the Huskies to a 14-1 record and a trip to the national championship, but many draft experts pegged him as a Day 2 talent who could get taken in the first round because of the value of the position to NFL teams.
That expectation set by the draft community ultimately led to some raised eyebrows and many negative reactions when the Falcons took Penix in the Top 10.