Seahawks linked with polarizing QB prospect ahead of draft

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter suggested on Monday morning that the Seattle Seahawks could become the team that makes Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. a first-round pick this coming Thursday night. 

Seattle holds overall choice No. 16. 

Schefter noted that new Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald hired former Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to be Seattle's offensive coordinator this offseason. Grubb should be able to tell Macdonald plenty about who has become quite a polarizing prospect.

Some evaluators have repeatedly insisted that Penix may be the second-best quarterback in this year's draft behind only USC Trojans star Caleb Williams. 

Others understandably have voiced concerns about Penix's injury history. He tore his right anterior cruciate ligament twice and suffered injuries to both shoulders during his college playing days. 

As for the Seahawks' quarterback situation, it's believed a coaching staff that never picked veteran Geno Smith as its starter could look to move on from him as soon as next offseason. 

Seattle acquired Sam Howell from the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason, and it's thought Howell could compete with both Smith and a rookie this summer. 

Schefter acknowledged that Seattle is "high" on Howell and believes he "offers some unique advantages." Schefter also added that Macdonald likes that Howell "already has game experience" at the highest level compared to an incoming rookie such as Penix. 

With that said, Penix's alleged ceiling could make him an intriguing option for Seattle if he gets to No. 16 in the draft order on Thursday night. 

Some think that a team such as the Minnesota Vikings could grab Penix as high as the 11th pick. The Denver Broncos at choice No. 12 and Las Vegas Raiders at No. 13 have been linked with Penix throughout April. 

However, Jordan Reid of ESPN predicted in a mock draft updated on Monday that Penix will fall all the way down to Las Vegas at pick No. 44. 

As of late Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Raiders as the betting favorites at +260 odds to draft Penix. The Vikings were second on the list at +350 odds, followed by the Seahawks at +450.