As the Atlanta Falcons 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.
But most only watched one of the two passers closely: Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta’s choice at No. 8 overall and perhaps the most surprising first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
After the session, Penix was swarmed by reporters. The other signal caller walked back to the locker room, not a single interview to be done.
Now two and a half weeks removed from that day at IBM Performance Field, undrafted free agent quarterback John Paddock still draws little attention.
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.
Perhaps that shouldn’t be the case.
“Paddock’s been a very pleasant surprise,” Falcons quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates said last week.
