Even though the Atlanta Falcons went just 1-2 with Michael Penix Jr. as the starting quarterback last season, they still look ready to take a big jump forward in the NFC South with the former Washington Huskies superstar at the helm.

Over five appearances last season, Penix threw for 775 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, adding a rushing score and displaying the exceptional arm talent along with the willingness to push the ball downfield that helped him finish as the 2023 runner-up for the Heisman Trophy during his two years at Washington.

Now, as he prepares for his first full season as the starter, he looks poised to establish himself as one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks, which could make him quite an asset in fantasy football, too.

“The Falcons scored more points than the Philadelphia Eagles over the final three weeks of the season,” Danny Heifitz pointed out on the Ringer Fantasy Football Show. “Drake London, playing with Penix, was the No. 1 receiver in all of fantasy football for the final three weeks…in terms of total points and points per game, he was No. 1 in points.”

“I think the expectation is the Falcons can have the third-best offense in the NFC behind the Eagles and [Detroit] Lions,” he added. “The Falcons have seven first-round picks on their offense: three offensive linemen, and a top-ten player [in the draft] at quarterback, running back, receiver, and tight end. They have high expectations and should absolutely be competing with the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] to win the NFC South.”

In terms of average draft position, Penix could be one of the biggest steals in 2025. Per FantasyPros, he’s sitting as the No. 139 overall player and No. 23 quarterback selected in standard scoring leagues, making him an intriguing late-round selection who could blossom into a star.

In his three starts, Penix threw for an average of 246 yards per game. Multiplying that over a 17-game sample size, that would have given him 4,182 passing yards if he started every contest last season, and placed him as the No. 6 passer in his rookie year, just ahead of two-time MVP and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

If Atlanta’s offense can provide the support he needs around him, Penix could become one of fantasy football’s biggest steals in 2025.