The Atlanta Falcons have been investing on the offensive side of the ball for years, and 2025 appears to be a season in which they can take flight. Due to the depth of the quarterback position, Michael Penix Jr. isn’t on the radar of most redraft fantasy football managers, but is there a world in which he leverages a friendly playoff schedule and impacts the final month of the season?
Michael Penix’s Fantasy Outlook
This game we love can be goofy. Some weeks it feels like all of the stars are unstoppable, and others it feels like this sport is a random number generator in terms of where the fantasy points are assigned. Case in point?
From Weeks 15 to 17 last season, with championships on the line, Jared Goff was the per-game QB1, Drew Lock was QB8, Bryce Young was a top-12 QB, Mac Jones was more valuable than Jalen Hurts, and Cooper Rush was one of the 27 quarterbacks that ranked ahead of C.J. Stroud.
I’m not saying that you have to rank Penix as a top-15 option at the position. I don’t have him in that range. What I am saying is that having an open mind at all times is common in those who have fantasy success. Managers who are willing to be flexible and reactive are far more successful than those who cling to outdated preseason strategies, which take far too long.
Every Michael Penix Jr. passing attempt of 20+ yards. pic.twitter.com/QjrAljSQ55
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) June 13, 2025
Could the second-year QB provide a spark at the perfect time? Even if you don’t believe that he will, there’s a real chance that rostering him this winter will be a savvy strategic move, if for no other reason than to limit the options your opponent has to consider in the win-or-go-home nature of the fantasy playoffs.
Falcons Closing Schedule
- Week 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Week 16 at Arizona Cardinals
- Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Week 18 vs. New Orleans Saints
The little game film we got from Penix a season ago showed, to me, a QB who wasn’t scared. He posted a 10.2 aDOT in his three starts, and we saw him grow in real time.
- First half: 52.5% complete, 0.5 TD/INT, 66.5 passer rating
- Second half: 65.9% complete, 2.0 TD/INT, 96.1 passer rating
His rep count on the professional stage is limited, and there will be learning curve moments as 2025 progresses, but it is important to remember that this isn’t Anthony Richardson 2.0 in terms of a lack of high-level reps. Penix was on the college football circuit for six years, the last two coming at Washington, where he threw for over 9,500 yards and had 67 touchdowns against 19 interceptions.
MORE: Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Expecting anything close to those video game numbers this season isn’t wise, but neither is counting him out. I’m utilizing the “watch” feature on platforms that have that functionality for Penix. There is upside bubbling beneath the surface here, and there is certainly enough talent around him to help him realize that potential at the optimal time.
This is precisely the type of profile I don’t mind gambling on if you want to get creative in a Superflex setting or ultra-deep formats.
Frank Ammirante’s Michael Penix Jr. Fantasy Projection
Michael Penix showed some promise in limited action as a rookie, throwing for 775 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. This was highlighted by a spike week in the final game of the season, where he threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns in a shootout against the Panthers.
The issue with Penix is that he’s a virtual zero on the ground, topping at only 119 yards in college. With that said, this is a pocket passer who likes to push the ball downfield, so there’s opportunity for spike weeks. You also have to like the supporting cast of RB Bijan Robinson, WRs Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and TE Kyle Pitts.
MORE: Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer
Penix makes the most sense in Best Ball, where you can build a Falcons stack by attaching the young quarterback to London or Robinson. For redraft, you can leave Penix on the wire but monitor him closely because the Falcons have a promising schedule to end the fantasy season.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Penix emerge as a viable matchup-based streamer down the stretch.
