Just like that, day one of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. Thirty-two picks are in progress and the first round is complete. As expected, the first round had no shortage of headline decisions, namely six quarterbacks among the top 12 picks, including one for a surprise NFC South contender. And there are still two days of action to come!
Before we fully move on to Day 2, here are some of the most important things we learned from Round 1:
Falcons risk controversy for QB results
If you thought spending $180 million on Kirk Cousins was enough for Atlanta, well, you were wrong. We’ve all done it. While the ink is practically still drying on Cousins’ latest free agent cash-in, the Falcons used the No. 8 overall pick not on a rusher or cornerback to help fuel a race for playoffs led by Cousins, but rather on Michael Penix Jr. – – a rookie quarterback almost 24 years old. As a forward-thinking move, this smartly ensures that Atlanta doesn’t put all of its eggs in one 35-year-old basket with a reparative Achilles. But already Penix’s surprising arrival has sparked frustration in Cousins’ camp, and we haven’t even been able to attend spring training. They’re apparently determined to finally unearth the next big thing under center, even if it means injecting instant drama into this room.
The Vikings really trust their infrastructure
Perhaps the top three teams on day one were determined to take the quarterbacks they picked, leaving Minnesota no room to sneak past a complete prospect like Drake Maye. But even then, the Vikings found themselves “settling” for the fifth quarterback on the board, Michigan’s JJ McCarthy, after Atlanta shockingly hit Penix. In many ways, McCarthy fits perfectly into Kevin O’Connell’s playmaking offense, and it’s true that he will have some elite talent at his disposal. But it’s fair to wonder if that’s exactly what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had in mind when he finally allowed Cousins to leave, opening the door to a quarterback pursuit at higher levels. potential. Fortunately, they’re probably right to have confidence in McCarthy’s setup.
Jim Harbaugh redefines the Chargers
A choice does not make or break or, in this case, define a team. But passing on a top receiver like Rome Odunze in order to get Justin Herbert another young tackle in Joe Alt is a strong signal that Los Angeles will prioritize a tougher, run-first approach under the direction of his new coach. Harbaugh essentially admitted as much when addressing Alt’s No. 5 pick, explaining that his team views offensive linemen as “weapons.” It reminds us of Harbaugh’s time running the San Francisco 49ers, when a vaunted front helped lead to a Super Bowl bid.
Eagles and Lions are better at being patient
Both NFC contenders entered Thursday in need of secondary reinforcements. But neither club panicked about the availability of the consensus top two cornerbacks, Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell, staying in their mid-20s and eventually securing those same cover men. Always prone to moving, especially in uphill rallies, the Eagles stood at 22 and were happy to let Mitchell fall into their laps; he should have an immediate role in Vic Fangio’s unit. Detroit, meanwhile, made a slight jump from No. 29 to No. 24 to stop Arnold’s slide and get a new CB1.
Several teams desperately needed QB help
This was expected and goes beyond the Penix and McCarthy initiatives. Remember, there has only been one other draft – in 1983 – when six different quarterbacks went in the first round. Does this mean the class of 2024 was historically elite? Not necessarily. Jayden Daniels, going No. 2 to the Washington Commanders, fits as something of a boom-or-bust deal due to his electric athleticism but wiry build. The Denver Broncos’ selection at 12th overall is even more shocking: Bo Nix may be a stylistic fit as an experienced short-area arm for Sean Payton, but he will be under immediate pressure to play in a mediocre lineup, with no attractive alternatives on the list.
