The primary spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and boy, was it certain entertaining. As predicted, all of our mock drafts had been torn to shreds, as gamers went a lot increased than anticipated, whereas others fell additional than we thought they’d. NFL groups additionally forgot there have been defensive gamers out there, as the primary defender was chosen at No. 15 general!
We noticed a record-tying quantity of quarterbacks taken within the first spherical, with all six coming within the first 12, and simply 9 offensive linemen go regardless of the NFL world anticipating double-digit trench titans being chosen. There’s loads to leap into, so with out additional ado, listed here are the 5 largest surprises of the primary spherical.
5. The cornerback fall
In case you care about mock drafts, most had the primary cornerback going someplace round No. 13 general. The primary nook went No. 22 general on Thursday. It wasn’t an enormous night time for defensive gamers at massive, we are going to get into that in a second, however a few groups acquired some absolute STEALS with these cornerbacks.
I am undecided how the Philadelphia Eagles are at all times gifted these studs, however Quinyon Mitchell must be a direct starter. He shook off “MAC convention questions” on the Senior Bowl by dominating, and recorded essentially the most passes defensed within the FBS over the previous two seasons with 37. The Eagles wanted to spice up the secondary, and so they did simply that by taking arguably the very best cornerback within the draft.
If Mitchell is not the very best cornerback within the draft, it is most likely Alabama’s Terrion Arnold — who went two picks later at No. 24 general to the Detroit Lions after a commerce up. Detroit was one other NFC contender that wanted so as to add within the secondary, particularly after the Cam Sutton incident, and Arnold was chargeable for essentially the most incomplete targets amongst SEC gamers final season with 43. He figures to start out instantly, too.
These two gamers may have gone increased within the first spherical, and two nice groups benefitted from their falls.
4. Ricky Pearsall
The Florida Gator was a draft crush of many, however who noticed him going within the first spherical? He was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers at No. 31 general, after catching 65 passes for 965 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2023. Perhaps he did not go off for 1,500+ yards in 2023 like Malik Nabers, however there isn’t any doubt he is gifted. What did “trade-block resident” Brandon Aiyuk consider the choose? Apparently his phrases had been, “Hearth choose, no lie.”
Each weapon could have enjoyable in San Francisco, however not many noticed Pearsall sneaking into the highest 32.
The Chiefs and Payments have an epic rivalry within the AFC, which is why it was puzzling when Buffalo allowed Kansas Metropolis to maneuver as much as No. 28 general to pick a participant it was clearly excessive on. Who was that participant? Simply the child that broke the 40-yard sprint file on the NFL Mix this yr.
There are some considerations with Worthy being so skinny, however he is a burner Andy Reid can make the most of most likely higher than anybody else. This can be a two-time First Staff All-Massive 12 participant who additionally led the convention in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns throughout his collegiate profession. Congratulations, Patrick Mahomes. And Buffalo higher hope he would not rating the game-winning landing when these two groups meet subsequent.
2. Defensive gamers ignored
We knew there was an opportunity this draft may match and even break the file when it got here to the newest a defensive participant was chosen (previously No. 8 general), however did you think about FOURTEEN offensive gamers coming off the board to start out the draft? Simply 9 defensive gamers had been chosen on Thursday night time.
There is no doubt about it, essentially the most stunning second of the primary spherical was when the Atlanta Falcons chosen Michael Penix Jr. No. 8 general. Sure, the Falcons gave Kirk Cousins a four-year deal value $180 million in free company, however everybody lauds the “Packers technique” till it is truly utilized, proper? It is honest to query what number of seasons a soon-to-be 36-year-old quarterback coming off a torn Achilles has left, however essentially the most stunning half about this choose was that it got here at No. 8 general. The Falcons may have traded down a bit, proper? Nicely, in line with James Palmer, the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders all tried to get into the highest 10 for Penix. The Falcons had loads of different wants to handle inside the highest 10, however they went quarterback. We’ll see the way it performs out.
Penix wasn’t the one quarterback shock. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy fell to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 10, though he was persistently mocked inside the highest 5, after which Bo Nix went No. 12 to the Denver Broncos regardless of being considered a borderline Day 1 choose.
Quarterbacks had been flying off the board, and really broke draft data. 4 quarterbacks went inside the highest eight picks for the primary time ever, and 5 quarterbacks inside the highest 10 for the primary time. That looks like excellent news for Spencer Rattler and Michael Pratt.
