SEATTLE — On March 28 I stood behind New York Giants coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, while Michael Penix Jr. put on a show.

I watched a different one.

Because after each impressive Penix pass, Daboll provided punctuation. The 49-year-old former offensive coordinator shook his head in disbelief. Or he turned to stare at Schoen, in search of silent affirmation. Or he instinctively clapped his hands, applauding a Penix completion. Here was an NFL coach, turned momentary admirer.

And if Daboll's body language didn't speak loudly enough, consider his company. The Giants were the only NFL team to send its coach to the Huskies' pro day. He was joined by Schoen (one of two GMs in attendance), offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney as well.

It's possible the Giants were simply doing due diligence, or that they had arranged cross-country flights to visit wide receiver Rome Odunze, an obvious option for the No. 6 overall pick in the NFL draft, which begins Thursday night. It's possible they're praying Penix slides to No. 47 in the second round, or that they're impressed ... but uninterested.

Regardless, the Giants — who already have quarterbacks Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito under contract — got me thinking about Penix's perplexing projections.

How many players could conceivably land at No. 6, No. 47 ... or anywhere in between?

On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote "there now is speculation Penix could go as high as No. 8 to the Falcons." Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer stated that the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13 have been "marked by a few other teams as one to watch on Penix," while adding there's "some belief in league circles" the Seahawks could snag him at No. 16.

But most mock drafts still slate the proven passer as a second-round pick, citing the same concern.

"We're talking about the first four picks in the draft being quarterbacks," ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said the day after Penix's pro day. "If not for the four season-ending injuries that Michael Penix has had previous to Washington, we would be talking about the first five picks being quarterbacks. He's that good. He's that talented."

...continued

(c)2024 The Seattle Times Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.