When the Falcons selected Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in last week’s NFL Draft it shocked the rest of the league — but not the team’s captain
At Tuesday’s press conference, Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III talked about his reaction to the organization’s pick. Saying, it’s going to make the Falcons better.
“It wasn’t very surprising to me,” Bates said. “I knew what type of player he is. Being from Indiana, I kind of had an idea of who he was and I think he had a couple of almost-upsets against Ohio State. And I just watch football and I can tell that he has a knack and the NFL likes to come out with these cool quotes and stuff like that — I think he’ll bring a lot to this locker room.”
“Like we said, he may not be playing for the first couple of years,” the Pro Bowler continued. “But just having that competitive nature in the locker room — whether it’s Kick Cousins, whether it’s a practice squad player, whether it’s me, whether it’s a practice squad guy, whatever it is, we’re going to compete and make each other better.”
Bates added that his phone “was buzzing like I got drafted again” when Atlanta’s pick was announced.
Later in the session he was asked if GM Terry Fontenot spoke to the team about taking a QB so high after signing Kirk Cousins to a big money deal this offseason. But Bates said he didn’t nor should he have to.
“This is the league that we play in, this is what happens,” the veteran concluded. “That’s why there’s a draft to bring in new players.”