Fantasy Football players should steer clear of Michael Penix Jr.

The Washington Huskies had a terrific 2023 season that led them to the College Football National Championship Game. That effort was paced by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. who finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

But in that championship game, Penix, who was regarded by most as a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was bounced around by the Michigan Wolverines. He completed just 27-of-51 pass attempts and threw two interceptions in that game. Since that night, a 34-13 Michigan win, Penix's stock has taken a nosedive.

That should translate over to the fantasy football world as well, specifically with those players who are in dynasty leagues and might be sizing up the rookie quarterback class.

Penix was a top 10 selection in most mock drafts around the time of that championship game but when you look at recent mocks, including this one from Eric Edholm of NFL.com, he's not even taken in the first round and some analysts are saying he won't even go in the second round.

Those notions won't be quelled after Penix, despite practicing for this weekend's Senior Bowl, chose to not play in the game. There are some who are praising him for that decision, but it makes no sense to me. With all of the concerns around his health history, I want to see him play as much as possible. For me, when everything was on the line, he got bullied by Michigan. The NFL is only going to be tougher.

Now there will be a manager in your dynasty rookie draft who views Penix the same way some NFL team will in the second of third round. It will look like incredible potential value. But he is likely going to drop for more than one reason.

If you are a dynasty team rebuilding and need a yoing quarterback to build that process around, Penix is not going to be that guy. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels are all obvious better choices, but even guys like Bo Nix, J.J. McCarthy and Spencer Rattler could be better choices.

Don't throw away a high pick on this guy unless he does something to turn around his falling stock between now and April's draft.