Michael Penix. Jr. Says He Should Be Top-10 2024 NFL Draft Pick amid Raiders Rumors

Michael Penix Jr. is likely to see at least four quarterbacks drafted above him Thursday night, but he's not lacking for confidence.

The Washington product told TMZ Sports he feels he should be a top-10 selection but won't be upset if he falls later in the draft.

"I do feel like I should be," Penix said. "I have the potential to be. But like I said, it's out of my control. Wherever I go, I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity."

ESPN's Mel Kiper predicted Penix won't fall past the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13, which is an eye-opening rise for a player most evaluators have a Round 2-3 grade on. The B/R Scouting Department ranks Penix as the No. 87 overall player in the 2024 class. He's the draft's seventh-ranked quarterback behind North Carolina's Drake Maye, USC's Caleb Williams, LSU's Jayden Daniels, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, South Carolina's Spencer Rattler and Oregon's Bo Nix.

The final B/R mock draft does not have Penix being taken in the first round.

Penix is coming off a sensational two-season run at Washington after beginning his college career at Indiana. He threw for 4,903 yards and 36 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 2023 while leading Washington to a national championship game berth and earning a spot as a Heisman finalist.

While he's not known as a true dual-threat, Penix ran a 40-yard dash below 4.6 seconds at Washington's pro day last month.

That said, skeptics don't love Penix's elongated release, and his career at Indiana was mired by injuries. He also turns 24 in May, making him one of the oldest players in the entire 2024 draft class.