Atlanta Falcons rookie QB a “very pleasant surprise” during OTAs

As the Atlanta Falcons progressed through their first session of rookie minicamp May 10 at Flowery Branch, all eyes were on the quarterbacks playing catch in front of the east end zone on the near field.

But most have only closely watched one of two passers: Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta’s No. 8 overall pick and perhaps the most surprising first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft .

After the session, Penix was invaded by journalists. The other signalman returned to the locker room, not a single interview to be done.

Now two and a half weeks 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 that includes four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins, veteran backup Taylor Heinicke and, of course, Penix. Eyes often focus whenever Cousins ​​and Penix make throws, but they can wander when it’s Paddock’s turn.

Maybe that shouldn’t be the case.

“Paddock was a very pleasant surprise,” Falcons quarterbacks coach TJ Yates said last week.

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The Falcons signed Paddock shortly after the draft ended on April 27, and he knew the situation he found himself in: a fourth-string quarterback, unlikely to make the roster, a potential piece of the roster. training team.

Yet Paddock just wanted an opportunity – something he sought and capitalized on throughout his career.

At Bloomfield Hills High School in Michigan, Paddock was the winningest quarterback in program history, a two-time honorable mention all-state selection and a three-time all-conference selection.

The 6-0, 190-pounder went to Ball State, where he spent the first four years of his career as a reserve, playing in just five games and attempting just 34 passes.

But in an era of college football dominated by players transferring when their opportunities don’t immediately present themselves, 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.

Paddock used his year as a starter at right to play on a bigger stage, transferring to Illinois – but he lost the starting job to Luke Altmyer, a former four-star recruit and target coveted portal player who transferred from Ole Miss.

But when Paddock got his opportunities, he played the starring role. Despite only playing in seven games and starting only the final three games of the regular season, Paddock was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection after completing 59.4 percent of his passes for 1,278 yards and nine touchdowns to just three interceptions.

In his first start of the season, Paddock went 24 of 36 for 507 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in a 48-45 overtime victory over Indiana. He earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors for his performance.

The previous week, Paddock entered the game on 4th-and-11 from his own 15-yard line with just 1:25 left and trailing Minnesota by five. Some 35 seconds later, he and the rest of the Illini were celebrating in the end zone. Paddock completed all three of his attempts, including a 46-yard touchdown run, to lead an 85-yard game-winning drive for Illinois.

Yet Paddock received very little attention leading up to the draft and did not hear his name called during the three-day event.

But the Falcons gave Paddock the opportunity to compete, and as he did at each of his previous stops, he’s impressed.

“He’s a good little player,” Yates said. “He’s got a good arm. He’s got a good feel for the game. Obviously there’s not a lot of reps for everyone, but every time he’s had an opportunity to go in there and do it , he did a good job.

Part of the reason Yates likes Paddock is precisely because of this problem: The Falcons are trying to install a new offense under coordinator Zac Robinson, and Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract to join Atlanta this spring, tries to develop timing and chemistry with his new receivers.

Additionally, Penix and Heinicke have priority in terms of snaps, as they are ahead of Paddock in the backup quarterback discussion. The Falcons also try to evaluate Penix more and more each session, and during seven-on-seven periods, Cousins ​​and Penix often dominate the snap share.

As such, Paddock is forced to look at the group of attacking players behind the play – but what stands out about Yates is that he doesn’t waste a single second of it.

“He’s been absolutely brilliant as far as getting mental reps,” Yates said. “Every rep in practice, you’ll see John Paddock in the back going through the progressions acting like he’s throwing. He goes through every rep on his own and does it on his own.”

Paddock’s future in Atlanta is unknown. The Falcons could have Cousins, Penix and Heinicke on their 53-man roster, meaning Paddock, who is set to participate in the preseason, will be subject to waivers before the season begins.

However, if Atlanta decides to move Heinicke, Paddock could be the ideal No. 3.

Maybe a practice squad reunion is in play, but even then he’s in the same place he is today — the fourth quarterback on a team with a trio cemented at the top .

Still, no matter how long and prosperous or short and unforgettable Paddock’s time with the Falcons proved to be, he left a mark on those around him – and if there’s one thing his journey shows, is that he will not be discouraged by having to bide his time in the spotlight.

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