Cowboys' Micah Parsons: 'Legit Feel Bad' for Michael Penix Jr. amid Falcons Criticism

Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons sympathized with Atlanta Falcons first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. following the opening day of the 2024 NFL draft.

Parsons posted on X how what should be such a monumental moment for Penix is being overshadowed by the discourse surrounding Atlanta's decision:

It's difficult to imagine a bigger stunner than what the Falcons did.

Penix going eighth overall was a minor surprise on its own. He was the No. 87 overall player on Bleacher Report's final big board, so a top-10 pick was a major reach even when you factor in the quarterback tax.

Atlanta, meanwhile, was seemingly one of the least likely teams to be so aggressive in targeting a QB. The team just signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract, and he was reportedly taken aback as much as everyone else when he learned of what the team was doing.

Penix became a cult favorite at Indiana before he exploded on the national stage during his two-year run at Washington. Because of that, plenty of fans were thrilled to see him picked so early.

To Parsons' point, however, those reactions have been drowned out by the people wondering what in the world Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris were doing.

The other thing with Penix is that he may not have a chance to address his skeptics head-on anytime soon. As long as he's healthy for Week 1, Cousins will be the starter in 2024 and continue to stay there for the foreseeable future.

The southpaw, who's also on the older side of the age spectrum for a prospect at 23, will be holding a clipboard and serving as an avatar for the loudest critics of Atlanta's front office.

Penix is living out the dreams his dreams right now by getting drafted into the NFL, but you don't totally envy him.