NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks has shared his thoughts on the potential upside and downside of Michael Penix Jr., a potential quarterback target for the Denver Broncos. Brooks’ assessment may come as a surprise to Broncos fans.

Brooks suggests that Penix’s maximum potential goes no higher than the 13th overall pick in the draft, a selection currently held by the Las Vegas Raiders. Brooks stated:

The quarterback excels in throwing deep passes with exceptional arm talent and pocket presence. Penix demonstrates precise ball placement and accuracy on long throws, dissecting coverage with surgical precision. His highlight reel is filled with impressive deep passes that sail over defenders, making him an attractive option for teams seeking an aggressive playmaker.

“However, despite his remarkable moments, Penix’s draft stock is affected by his extensive injury history (enduring four season-ending injuries at Indiana before transferring to Washington) and a potential lack of fit within certain offensive systems (struggling as a timing-based passer in the middle of the field). There are concerns regarding whether his impressive statistics were more a result of Kalen DeBoer’s innovative college offense rather than a true reflection of his elite skills.

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Brooks gives high praise to Penix, especially considering the possibility of him landing in Day 2 of the NFL draft. Notably, Penix was excluded from the NFL’s list of 15 draft prospects invited to Detroit, which may serve as a blessing in disguise by preventing any potential embarrassment if he falls to Round 2.

In terms of Sean Payton and the Broncos, the focus isn’t primarily on Penix’s deep ball skills but more on his accuracy in the middle. While Penix faced injuries in his college career, excelling in his medical evaluations before the draft is his current best effort.

Disregarding Penix’s impressive performance in Kalen DeBoer’s sophisticated offensive scheme at Washington would be unwise. Penix thrived in a system that entrusted him to make effective decisions, hinting at further success in the professional league.

One notable aspect overlooked by Brooks in his reasons against drafting Penix was his status as a left-handed player. The scarcity of left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL has always been a topic of debate among football enthusiasts.

Brooks tactfully sidestepped igniting any unnecessary controversy on the matter. If Brooks’ predictions come true and Penix indeed falls to the 43rd pick in the draft, it would create ripples throughout the second round of selections.

In such a scenario, the Broncos might frantically explore options to trade back into the second round to secure the opportunity to draft the promising young quarterback, unless they had already selected their future franchise quarterback with the 12th pick. Could Bo Nix be a consideration?