MichaelPenix Jr.

News: 1 day agoPenix completed 20 of 31 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown with an interception in Sunday's 34-17 loss to Cincinnati. He added 50 rushing yards on three carries.

Spin: It looked like it would be a big day for the Falcons offense when Penix led his team to points on its first two drives. including a one-yard TD to Charlie Woerner, but Atlanta managed just seven more points over the final three quarters. The touchdown pass was Penix's 10th of the season, setting a new career high, but he's also been picked off five times in the last two games after throwing only one INT in his first five contests of 2026. He'll face a tough test in Week 10 against Kansas City.

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.