MichaelPenix Jr.

News: 2 days agoPenix completed 15 of 20 passes for 223 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and rushed twice for minus-2 yards in the Falcons' 45-24 win over the Saints on Monday night.

Spin: Bijan Robinson helped stake the Falcons to a 14-0 lead after one quarter, so Penix immediately had some pressure off his shoulders in only his second start since returning from last year's ACL tear. However, the third-year signal-caller still looked very sharp when called upon, and he essentially left no doubt as to the outcome of the contest when he connected with Jahan Dotson for a 31-yard scoring strike with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest. Penix spread the ball around to seven different targets overall, and he's now completed 73.3 percent of his passes heading into a Week 5 home showdown against the Ravens on Sunday night.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Penix is no longer guaranteed a starting job entering his third season. The 2024 first-round pick has appeared in 14 games and has 14 total touchdowns, a 21% off-target rate and a 60% completion percentage to show for it. Penix has done well to avoid turnovers (six career INTs), but he's a nonfactor with his legs (career 28-81-2 rushing) and failed to post a single fantasy outing better than 10th last season. Penix tore an ACL in Week 11, which further complicates his path to beating out newcomer Tua Tagovailoa for the team's Week 1 starting gig. The 26-year-old might eventually emerge into a fine NFL starter, but even if he does, his lack of rushing will limit his fantasy output. He's well off the fantasy radar.