Grades for Washington’s three first round picks in the NFL draft

The Washington Huskies had eventful night one of the NFL Draft, but how do the selections grade out when considering how they fit with their team?

It was an eventful night for the Washington Huskies, as three members of the 2023 team were selected in the first round of the NFL draft, with two going in the top ten. There will be even more action on Friday and Saturday when more members of the Sugar Bowl-winning team find new homes in the NFL.

With the first round wrapped up, it’s time to embrace the annual tradition of handing out grades to the picks from Thursday, which are all preliminary and reflect current team fit and projected future success.

Atlanta Falcons – Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8 Overall)

The Falcons shocked the collective football world when they chose to pass on other positions of need and select the Washington quarterback in the top ten. Many had assumed that Penix would fall into the early teens and there were only whispers that the Falcons had some interest in Penix. For a team with plenty of young talent at the skill positions including running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and wide receiver Drake London, this is a fantastic situation for Penix to walk into. He should immediately be able to gel with those players and become the future centerpiece of the offense.

Penix’s downfield aggressiveness should allow for chunk plays to Pitts and London’s size should create plenty of contested catch opportunities once the two build up a connection. With a running game led by Robinson taking pressure off Penix, it should help him settle into the pro game even faster, that is, whenever he gets on the field.

This pick does not come without its serious question marks and confusion over what exactly the Falcons were thinking. The team made one of the biggest splashes of free agency, signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a nearly $180 million deal that will tie him to the team for at least two years before any feasible contract outs arise. Post-draft, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot stated that they will be following the Green Bay Packers model and wanted a succession plan in place for Cousins.

Penix is clearly a tremendous player, which is not something Husky fans have to be convinced of. However, he will be 24 years old as a rookie and waiting behind an established veteran for multiple seasons could mean that Penix is in his late 20’s when he sees his first meaningful NFL snaps. It’s possible that there is some concern among the Falcons brass that Cousins, coming of an Achilles tear, will not be the same player, thus bringing in Penix provides the team insurance.

This then brings up even more questions, why did the team sign Cousins in the first place? Why not inform Cousins of the plan to be aggressive at quarterback? These aren’t questions that can be answered in the immediate future and will play out as Penix’s career progresses.

Again, from Penix’s perspective this is an excellent fit as he comes in with a solid coaching staff, good supporting weapons, and will get to learn from an established veteran quarterback. The importance of the position cannot be understated, as teams are always encouraged to “get their guy,” and the Falcons seem to have done that and yet are catching plenty of heat.

If this ends up working out and Penix thrives in Atlanta, all will be forgiven. However, the surrounding circumstances of the pick still make it incredibly confusing to sift through. The coming years in Atlanta will be pivotal to the future of the franchise and how this controversial pick is viewed.

Pick Grade: C- (B+ for the player and D- for the circumstances)

Chicago Bears – Rome Odunze (No. 9 Overall)

Huskies ended up going back-to-back in the top ten, as the Bears used their second first rounder on another receiver for quarterback Caleb Williams in what was one of the best picks of the night. Odunze was the third receiver off the board but could very easily end up being the best from this class.

He will immediately walk into one of the best skill groups in the league, with Keenan Allen and DJ Moore as his running mates. Giving the ultra-talented Williams as many elite weapons to throw to as a rookie was a tremendous goal for the team to achieve and they have blown away all expectations.

Unlike Malik Nabers and Marvin Harrison Jr. who were selected above him, Odunze will not be forced into the lead role right away, and can settle in slowly as the team will be able to maximize his skill set. He will likely fill the X receiver role in Chicago, where his contested catch ability, body control, and vice grip-like hands have the potential to make him one of the top receivers in the league.

The Bears could not have been more thrilled that Odunze, who has already been working with Williams during the draft process fell to them. The new-look Bears offense should provide plenty of fireworks next season with Odunze as an integral cog.

Pick Grade: A

Pittsburgh Steelers – Troy Fautanu (No. 20 Overall)

The final Husky selected in the first round was left tackle Troy Fautanu who had one of the most impressive draft processes of any Husky. He dominated the NFL combine and placed himself firmly onto plenty of team’s radars in a talented class of top offensive linemen.

The Steelers made him their choice at No. 20 and will value his positional versatility, which was a major selling point of his profile coming out of Washington. He is technically advanced and possesses high-level foot speed that will make him an instant contributor in Pittsburgh.

It’s unclear at the moment where Fautanu will play along the Steelers offensive line. The team’s 2023 first round pick, Broderick Jones, will likely occupy one of the tackle spots and with veteran Dan Moore as the other listed tackle, the team could choose to start Fautanu out on the inside.

Wherever he ends up he has All-Pro upside and will be facing players like Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Alex Highsmith in practice every day which should only sharpen his skills. It appears that all three Huskies landed in excellent spots and Fautanu only continues this trend.

Pick Grade: A