The Atlanta Falcons have a pair of rookie quarterbacks on their roster in Michael Penix Jr. and John Paddock.
progressed through their first session of rookie minicamp May 10 in Flowery Branch, all eyes were on the quarterbacks playing catch in front of the east endzone on the nearside field.
He's the Falcons' No. 4 quarterback in a room featuring four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins, veteran backup Taylor Heinicke and, of course, Penix. Eyes often fixate each time Cousins and Penix make throws, but they can wander when it's Paddock's turn.The Falcons signed Paddock shortly after the draft ended April 27, and he knew the situation he was entering: fourth-string quarterback, unlikely to make the roster, potential practice squad piece.
But in an era of college football dominated by players transferring when their opportunities don't immediately come, Paddock stayed - and reaped the rewards. As a fifth-year senior in 2022, Paddock started all 12 games, completing 59.6% of his passes for 2,719 yards and 18 touchdowns. The week before, Paddock entered the game on 4th and 11 from his own 15-yard line with just 1:25 left on the clock and trailing Minnesota by five. Some 35 seconds later, he and the rest of the Illini were celebrating in the endzone. Paddock completed all three of his attempts, including a 46-yard touchdown, to lead a game-winning 85-yard drive for Illinois.
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