Everything You Need to Know for Tonight’s NFL Draft (8:00 pm ET, ESPN/NFLN)
It’s finally here. The 2024 NFL Draft gets underway tonight with Round 1. It kicks off a three-day, seven-round weekend where more than 200 picks will be made. Lifelong pursuits and hard work will culminate in tears and realized dreams. The draft is almost exactly the halfway point in the NFL’s offseason — 2.5 months removed from Super Bowl LVIII and 2.5 months away from training camps. It’s also the big moment where your favorite franchise’s GM and scouts can make or break your team’s future. Busts lurk around every pick. So, too, do future Hall of Famers. The Chicago Bears are on the clock…
Read Yesterday’s Mock Draft
NFL Draft Tracker (Live Updates Tonight)
3 QBs in the Top 3
The first three picks are expected to be three quarterbacks based on the team needs in those three positions. The Bears (#1), Commanders (#2), and Patriots (#3) all need QBs. USC QB Caleb Williams — the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner — is expected to go to Chicago at No. 1. Most experts think LSU QB Jayden Daniels — the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner — will go to the Commanders with the No. 2 pick. The draft begins at No. 3. Will the Patriots draft UNC QB Drake Maye, Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy, or trade out of the pick? Other potential first-round quarterbacks include Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) and Bo Nix (Oregon).
A Receiver-Heavy Round 1
The most receivers ever taken in Round 1 was seven (2004), but this year’s draft could match that. I see six wideouts with first-round potential: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (OSU), WR Rome Odunze (Washington), WR Malik Nabers (LSU), WR Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU), WR Xavier Worthy (Texas), WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas). There are three or four other projected second-round picks who could jump into Round 1.
RBs? LBs? Expect None of These...
In our mock draft, and most of the ones we sourced, running backs and linebackers couldn’t be found in Round 1. That’s somewhat typical of the recent value placed on those positions. Edge rushers are still in high demand, and they’ve largely transformed from linebacker prototypes, but don’t expect a running back to come off the board tonight.
School Pride: Which Program Reigns?
Draft aficionados know the history. Ohio State (90), USC (85), and Alabama (79) have produced the most first-round picks of all collegiate programs. The Buckeyes and Trojans will each add one to that tally tonight, but the Crimson Tide should take the award for most Round 1 picks once again. Expected 1st-Rounders by School: Alabama (4), Texas (3), LSU (3) & Washington (3).
Teams to Watch (Multiple Picks)
Three teams have multiple picks in the first round (tonight) — the Bears (1 & 9), Cardinals (4 & 27), and Vikings (11 & 23). Over all three days, it’s the Cardinals, Packers, and Rams who own the most total picks (11 each). The Panthers, Browns, and Texans do not have first-round picks, so they'll be sitting out tonight unless they trade in.
That’ll do it. Dreams will be realized shortly. Ready for draft night? The picks begin at 8:00 pm ET (ESPN/NFLN).
Read More
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