2024 NFL Draft: 5 Quarterbacks in top 10

The first round of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday opened with the Chicago Bears picking USC quarterbacks Caleb Williams, the first 6 of the QBs in the top 12 picks. He was followed by Jayden Daniels (Commanders), Drake Maye (Patriots), Micheal Phenix Jr. (Falcons), J.J. McCarthy (Vikings) and Bo Nix (Broncos).

Michigan is expected to break the record of 15 NFL draft picks in a year from one school, set by Georgia in 2022, but the Wolverines only saw one player selected in the first round: J.J. McCarthy, 10^th overall to the Minnesota Vikings.

The 14 consecutive offensive players selected to open the draft was also a record set in the draft. The previous was 10 consecutive offensive players selected in 1987 draft- picks No. 19 through No. 28.

“It’s a receiver heavy draft, there are some talented quarterbacks just do the math” – Bronchos coach Sean Payton said – “We felt like there were going to be more offensive players taken.”

The Minnesota Vikings added up twice in the first round, jumping one spot to No. 10 for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy to ensure they did not miss out on their most dire need and making the six-spot leap to No. 17 for Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner.

“I am always talking about minimizing regret” – Vikings general manager Kwesi-Adofo-Mensah said – “Obviously I am a spreadsheet calculator myself, but sometimes you have to step out from there, take your Clark Kent glasses of and just have a Championship mindset and swing for a great player.”

Michel Penix Jr. says he is looking forward to learn from Kirk Cousins. The Falcons drafted Penix No. 8 overall despite signing cousins to be their quarterbacks on a four-year, $180 million contract a month ago.

“I am blessed with the opportunity” – Penix said – “I am going to take advantage and make the most out of it. For me coming in behind Kirk Cousins, he has been in the league and played a lot of football. I am going to come, going to learn, I am going to learn from him and try to soak in all the knowledge I can.”

Pass Catching game-changers

Daniel Jeremiah and his rankings of the 2024 draft prospects, three of the four players are wide receivers and 12 of the 50 play their positions.

Marvin Harrison Jr., the son of Pro football hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, is the leader of the group with fourth pick in Thursday night.

Both Washington’s Rome Odunze and LSU’s Malik Nabers are the top end talents while also bringing different skillsets to the table. Odunze has been compared to Larry Fitzgerald and Nabers to Justin Jefferson; the former is a Hall of Famer and the latter is arguably the best wide receiver in the league at the moment. The Bears chose Odunze with the ninth pick.