The 2024 NFL Draft marked a historic moment in NFL history with six quarterbacks being selected within the first 12 picks. This tied the record set in 1983 for the most quarterbacks taken in the first round. The group of quarterbacks drafted in 2024 has the potential to be like Hall of Famers Dan Marino, John Elway, and Jim Kelly, or could turn out more like the bust-laden quarterback classes of 1999 and 2021.
The draft kicked off with the Bears selecting Caleb Williams, followed by the Commanders picking Jayden Daniels, and the Patriots choosing Drake Maye. The Patriots entertained trade offers for Maye, ultimately deciding to draft him as the player they wanted. The Falcons surprised everyone by selecting Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8, despite just signing Kirk Cousins to a lucrative contract. This decision left Cousins feeling stunned and possibly misled, as he was not given a heads-up about the possibility.
The Vikings made a bold move by trading up to secure J.J. McCarthy at No. 10, while the Broncos reached for Bo Nix at No. 12. Some teams had graded Nix as a second-round prospect, making this selection a surprise to many. The Raiders, who missed out on drafting a quarterback, made history by selecting tight end Brock Bowers at No. 13, marking the first time in NFL history that 13 consecutive picks were from one side of the ball.
Caleb Williams, drafted by the Bears, steps into a strong position for immediate success, as he will be playing with a talented receiving core. The Bears traded up to the No. 1 pick after finishing 7-10 the previous season. Williams will be throwing to a trio of top NFL receivers, including Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Keenan Allen. The Patriots and Bears were in familiar positions after giving up on their top-15 quarterback picks from the 2021 draft.
The Vikings and Commanders emerge as winners in the draft, with the Vikings securing McCarthy without succumbing to trades by other teams and the Commanders confidently selecting Daniels over Maye. The Broncos surprised many by selecting Nix at No. 12, with head coach Sean Payton being impressed by Nix during a workout. Overall, the 2024 NFL Draft was one for the history books, with an unprecedented number of quarterbacks being selected within the first 12 picks, setting the stage for an exciting NFL season.
