Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and it was a wild night. League history was made with six quarterbacks taken in the first round, and, more surprisingly, in the top 12 overall. Also, the first defensive prospect was not picked until UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu came off the board at No. 15 overall.
Real-time reaction of everything that transpired during Thursday’s first round can be found in the live blog below. Also be sure to check out live CBS Sports’ updating NFL Draft tracker, Pete Prisco’s NFL Draft grades for every first-round pick and subscribe to the “With the First Pick” podcast for nightly recaps, winners and losers and more from Detroit.
1. Falcons deliver biggest surprise with Michael Penix Jr. selection
Atlanta’s decision to select Penix without giving free agent signing Kirk Cousins much advanced notice is reminiscent of Chicago taking Mitchell Trubisky after signing Nick Foles to a lucrative contract. There is no question that Cousins is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but the Falcons are hardly maximizing their opportunity to win right away with their prized free agent signing.
2. Quarterback records set in the first round
For the first time in league history, six quarterbacks were taken in the first round of an NFL Draft. More impressively, six of the first 12 selections were used on the quarterbacks. The hay is in the barn. Now, the discussion turns to when those players will take the field and their overall outlook as professionals.
3. Stage set for Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel to be traded?
San Francisco used its first-round pick on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall after the hot topic all day had been what the team will do with veteran receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk is seeking a new deal, but a trade of Samuel may be more palatable. Can they get a deal done Friday?
Follow along each night of the draft as CBS Sports has you covered with all of the selections and buzz regarding your favorite team. Once the dust settles, fans will find updated team needs and a fresh mock draft on the website in preparation for Day 2.
First-round draft order, picks
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Caleb Williams, QB, USC
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
10. Minnesota Vikings (from New York Jets): J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
11. New York Jets (from Minnesota): Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy II, DL, Texas
17. Minnesota Vikings (from Jacksonville); Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu, IOL, Washington
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Cleveland through Houston and Minnesota): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
24. Detroit Lions (from Dallas): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton, IOL, Duke
27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Darius Robinson, EDGE, Missouri
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Buffalo): Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Detroit Lions): Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins, CB, Ravens
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
32. Carolina Panthers (from Kansas City through Buffalo): Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
