Historic Moment in the 2024 NFL Draft: Five Quarterbacks Make Top 10 Selections for the First Time

The 2024 NFL Draft started with the Chicago Bears choosing USC quarterback Caleb Williams as the first overall pick on Thursday night. Bears fans cheered for Williams as he made his way to the stage and hugged NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

This year's draft is expected to be a big one, with top quarterback prospects, talented wide receivers, and overall depth. It's significant because five quarterbacks were picked in the top 10, a first in NFL history. Many teams are still looking for their quarterback solution.

Teams have seasoned players, but the draft gives them a chance to bring in young talent before training camp. This helps them prepare their rosters for the new season starting in September.

Earlier Thursday, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said on X 150,000 fans are in attendance at the draft.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NFL Draft.

How to watch

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit across three days in the downtown area surrounding the Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza.

The first round began at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.

The second and third rounds will be held on Friday and the final four rounds on Saturday.

Fans can stay across all the action on NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes as well as following all the selections on the NFL+ app.

A quarterback heavy draft

There are some years where the crop of quarterbacks coming out of college football isn’t awe-inspiring.

This is not one of those years.

There are several promising quarterbacks in the 2024 class who have the potential to make a big impact in the franchise, with USC's Williams being one of the standout prospects.

Despite facing some challenges last season, Williams has all the qualities needed to excel as a top-tier quarterback in the NFL.

His exceptional throwing skills in different situations, along with his athletic abilities, make him a prime example of the modern dual-threat QB. This has resulted in comparisons to former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray.

At just 22 years old, Williams has been a top prospect for many draft analysts for more than a year. This follows his impressive Heisman Trophy-winning season in 2022, where he set records for passing touchdowns, passing yards, and passing efficiency at Trojan.

During his time with USC, Williams displayed his skill throwing the ball and running with it.

During his time with USC, Williams displayed his skill throwing the ball and running with it.

Williams was widely anticipated to be chosen as the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, thanks to his impressive skillset. The Bears made room for him by trading away last year's starting quarterback, Justin Fields, in the offseason. It is expected that Williams will make an immediate impact in his rookie season in the NFL.

The Washington Commanders selected Jayden Daniels, the quarterback from LSU, as their second pick. Daniels recently had a remarkable season in Baton Rouge, winning the Heisman Trophy. His skills in both throwing and running have made him a highly sought-after player in the draft.

In his college career, Daniels achieved a unique feat by becoming the first player in Division I history to throw for 12,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards. At just 23 years old, he presents a dual-threat capability that can pose a challenge to any opposing team.

North Carolina’s Drake Maye was chosen as the third pick of the night by the New England Patriots. Maye rose to fame in 2022 and impressed many with his leadership at UNC last year, which helped boost his draft prospects and highlighted areas where he has improved.

Lance Zierlein, an NFL analyst, characterizes Maye as having a "gunslinger mentality," enabling him to make exciting throws that impress crowds and evaluators. However, this mentality also leads him to attempt risky throws that he should avoid.

Daniels was the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner after an excellent season with the LSU Tigers.

Daniels was the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner after an excellent season with the LSU Tigers.

Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

This is only the fourth time in NFL history and the first time since 2021 that three quarterbacks were chosen with the first three picks.

In a surprising move within the top 10, the Atlanta Falcons picked University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the eighth overall selection.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings made a trade with the New York Jets to move up to the 10th pick and selected University of Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy. The Denver Broncos then chose Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with the 12th pick.

Pass-catching game-changers

According to NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah's rankings of the 2024 draft prospects, wide receivers dominate the top spots. In fact, three out of the four best players are wide receivers, with a total of 12 out of the top 50 playing the same position.

Leading this talented group is Marvin Harrison Jr., son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. Harrison Jr. was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals as the fourth pick on Thursday night.

Harrison Jr. has emerged as a key player for Ohio State in recent years, showcasing his skills on the field. His game style draws comparisons to his father, a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Indianapolis Colts.

Known for his speed but not solely dependent on it, Harrison Jr. excels in route-running, allowing him to outmaneuver defenders effortlessly and make challenging catches.

Harrison Jr. was described by Ohio State as "the most decorated wide receiver" in the school's history.

Harrison Jr. was described by Ohio State as "the most decorated wide receiver" in the school's history.

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Zierlein describes Harrison Jr. as a “pedigree prospect and a Day 1 starter with high-end production expected” and will likely be the first non-quarterback selection.

There are two other wide receivers who were projected to be drafted in the top 10, and they delivered as expected.

Washington’s Rome Odunze and LSU’s Malik Nabers are both top-notch talents, each with unique skillsets to offer.

Nabers, a dynamic and shifty pass-catcher, excels when he has the ball in his hands. On the other hand, Odunze has a larger frame, making his strength a significant threat for opposing defenses. The New York Giants selected Nabers as the sixth pick.

Odunze has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald, a Hall of Famer, while Nabers has been likened to Justin Jefferson, who is currently considered one of the best wide receivers in the league. The Bears decided to pick Odunze as the ninth selection.

Odunze (left) and Nabers (right) are both projected to be selected near the top of the first round of the draft.

Odunze (left) and Nabers (right) are both projected to be selected near the top of the first round of the draft.

Getty Images/AP

There are heaps of other wide receiver talent on offer further down the pecking order.

Other options at wide receiver include Brian Thomas Jr., who scored many touchdowns for LSU last year. Additionally, the Texas duo of Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy are talented prospects. Georgia’s Ladd McConkey is known for his agility as a slot receiver.

For teams looking for pass-catching options, there is a lot of talent available. If you enjoy watching wide receivers, the first round of the draft could be very exciting for you.

First round order

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina)

2. Washington Commanders

3. New England Patriots

4. Arizona Cardinals

5. Los Angeles Chargers

6. New York Giants

7. Tennessee Titans

8. Atlanta Falcons

9. Chicago Bears

10.  New York Jets

11.  Minnesota Vikings

12.  Denver Broncos

13.  Las Vegas Raiders

14.  New Orleans Saints

15.  Indianapolis Colts

16.  Seattle Seahawks

17.  Jacksonville Jaguars

18.  Cincinnati Bengals

19.  Los Angeles Rams

20.  Pittsburgh Steelers

21.  Miami Dolphins

22.  Philadelphia Eagles

23.  Minnesota Vikings (from Cleveland via Houston)

24.  Dallas Cowboys

25.  Green Bay Packers

26.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

27.  Arizona Cardinals (from Houston)

28.  Buffalo Bills

29.  Detroit Lions

30.  Baltimore Ravens

31.  San Francisco 49ers

32.  Kansas City Chiefs

CNN’s Jacob Lev contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The 2024 NFL Draft proved to be a quarterback-heavy event, with five quarterbacks selected in the top 10. Caleb Williams of USC emerged as the top choice, setting a new standard for modern dual-threat QBs. The Washington Commanders and New England Patriots followed suit, selecting Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, respectively. This influx of young talent at the most critical position in football promises to reshape the NFL landscape in the coming years.

Beyond quarterbacks, the draft showcased an abundance of pass-catching talent. Wide receivers dominated the top prospects, with Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers standing out as potential game-changers. These young receivers possess a diverse range of skills, from elite route-running to explosive speed, and their arrival in the NFL will undoubtedly elevate the level of competition and excitement in the passing game.