The NFL’s worst-kept secret became a reality on Thursday when the Chicago Bears selected Caleb Williams with the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Former USC quarterback Williams entered the week as one of the most successful college prospects in recent memory as the consensus No. 1 overall pick.
Chicago underscored its intentions earlier this offseason when it traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers to prepare for the arrival of Williams.
The 22-year-old won a Heisman Trophy during his three-year college career. By the end, he had completed 735 of 1,099 passes for 10,082 yards and 93 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions, as well as 289 carries for 960 rushing yards and 27 scores.
Six of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks for the first time in league history.
Each of the first 14 picks was an offensive player, doubling the previous record of seven offensive players at the start of the 2021 draft.
“It’s an honor to be here,” Williams said NFL Network after the bears called his name. “I’m very privileged.”
Six of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks for the first time in league history
A half-dozen franchises are hoping they’ve found their long-term answer in quarterback. LSU’s Jayden Daniels went No. 2 to the Washington Commanders and North Carolina’s Drake Maye went No. 3 to the New England Patriots to start the draft.
“Let’s go,” Maye said. “I’m ready to compete. I’m ready to travel to New England. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
The early sequence marked the fourth time in NFL history that teams selected quarterbacks with each of the top three picks. This also happened in 1971, 1999 and 2021, most recently when Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance finished in the top three.
Jayden Daniels landed at No. 2 for the Washington Commanders
The Atlanta Falcons pulled off the first big surprise of the night by selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8. The Falcons passed up a quarterback in the first round despite signing veteran signalman Kirk Cousins to a guaranteed deal worth $100 million in March.
When the Falcons determined they planned to select another quarterback in the first round, Cousins received a short notice from the Falcons, according to the veteran quarterback’s agent.
The Minnesota Vikings traded up one spot in the draft to ensure they get their target, Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy, at No. 10 overall. The Vikings sent a fourth-round and fifth-round pick to the New York Jets and received a sixth-round pick in return as part of the trade.
Although the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins in March, they selected a quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 in the first round
At No. 12, the Denver Broncos selected the sixth quarterback of the night, Bo Nix from Oregon.
Teams also focused on wide receiver and offensive line in a first round dominated by offense.
The Arizona Cardinals added Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick. Harrison, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., has drawn comparisons to legendary Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Harrison Jr. said he was confident he would be the first wideout selected.
“I just had confidence in my abilities,” he said. “I worked so hard to get to this point.”
At No. 5, the Los Angeles Chargers bolstered their offensive line by selecting Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt. It was the first pick under new coach Jim Harbaugh.
The New York Giants selected the second wideout of the draft when they added playmaker Malik Nabers from LSU with the sixth overall pick.
Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham went No. 7 to the Tennessee Titans. Latham, who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 300 pounds, embraced NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a huge bear hug, lifting him high off the ground.
“I told him, man,” Latham said with a smile. “I had to tell him. There was a lot of excitement.”
The Bears used the ninth pick to select Washington wideout Rome Odunze, who will join Williams as part of a revitalized offense.
Odunze said he couldn’t wait to work with Williams.
“From the insight I have had with him, I can see that he is as determined as I am,” Odunze said.
The Jets used the 11th pick to grab Olumuyiwa Fashanu, an offensive lineman from Penn State.
The Las Vegas Raiders took tight end Brock Bowers from Georgia at No. 13. The New Orleans Saints took Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga, making it 14 straight offensive players.
The Indianapolis Colts have finally put the spotlight on the 15th-ranked defense. The Colts selected edge rusher Laiatu Latu from UCLA.
Watch the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft live on Sky Sports Action in the early hours of Saturday morning from 12 p.m.
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