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The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books and it was the most offensive-heavy first round in the history of the annual player selection meeting. 23 offensive players — highlighted by 14-in-a-row to start the draft — was an all-time record.
While there was little drama with the first pick, where Caleb Williams went to Chicago, heads turned at the tail end of the top 10 when the Atlanta Falcons picked quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the most surprising pick of the night. The Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract earlier this offseason.
Quarterbacks also tied a record with six of them going in the first round, matching the legendary 1983 class. All of the quarterbacks went in the top 12, culminating with Bo Nix to Denver with that 12th pick.
Next up on Friday, are rounds two and three of the NFL Draft, and the Buffalo Bills have pick No. 33 overall, and will get the draft going again at 7 p.m. ET from Detroit.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
April 26 — Second and third rounds, 7 p.m. ET
April 27 — Fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, noon ET
How can I watch the 2024 NFL Draft?
The 2024 NFL Draft will be broadcast live on NFL Network and also ESPN, ABC and ESPN Deportes.
How can I stream the 2024 NFL Draft?
You can stream it on ESPN+, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, Sling TV and Fubo TV.
Where is the 2024 NFL Draft being held?
It’s being held in the area around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, less than a mile from Ford Field, home of the Lions.
Where can I find more info about the 2024 NFL Draft?
Right here on Yahoo Sports’ 2024 NFL Draft page.
Live153 updates
Expert Commentary: Pick No. 97 — Payton Wilson
Draft Grade: B
Pre-Draft Rank: 90
School: N.C. State
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 233
Wilson has played a whole lot of football for NC State. He has a chance to be a solid starter.
RALEIGH, NC – OCTOBER 07: North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) talks with North Carolina State Wolfpack cornerback Aydan White (3) during the college football game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Marshall Thundering Herd on October 7, 2023 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 96 — McKinnley Jackson
Draft Grade: C
School: Texas A&M
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 326
The Bengals needed defensive line depth and might have found that with the steady Jackson from Texas A&M.
Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (3) reacts after tackling Mississippi State quarterback Chris Parson during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 95 — Jarrian Jones
Draft Grade: B
School: Florida St.
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 190
Another All-Juice team selection, Jones has a chance to develop into a solid starter for the Jaguars down the road.
Florida State defensive back Jarrian Jones (7) reacts during the second half of an NCAA football game against the Boston College Eagles on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 94 — DeWayne Carter
Draft Grade: C
School: Duke
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 302
Carter is a quality backup prospect for the Bills’ defensive line rotation.
EAST HARTFORD, CT – SEPTEMBER 23: Duke Blue Devils defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) picks up the loose ball for the score during the game as the Duke Blue Devils take on the UConn Huskies on September 23, 2023, at the Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 93 — Adisa Isaac
Draft Grade: B
Pre-Draft Rank: 96
School: Penn St.
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 247
Edge depth for the Ravens. They needed some insurance in case Odafe Oweh doesn’t take that next step.
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 04: Adisa Isaac #20 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates a defensive stop in the third quarter at SECU Stadium on November 04, 2023 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 92 — Jalen McMillan
Draft Grade: A
Pre-Draft Rank: 57
School: Washington
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 197
The third Washington wide receiver is off the board, giving the Huskies six offensive players drafted from their national runner-up team. McMillan is a strong get for the Buccaneers and should compete for starting 11 personnel reps off the bat.
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 08: Washington Huskies wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) celebrates a touchdown reception during the CFP National Championship football game between the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines at NRG Stadium on January 8, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 91 — Ty’Ron Hopper
Draft Grade: C-
School: Missouri
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 231
It’s hard to get too upset about at a pick at this point in the draft, but Hopper feels like a long-shot to be a contributor on defense for the Packers.
COLUMBIA, MO – NOVEMBER 25: Missouri Tigers linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (8) in the fourth quarter of an SEC college football game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Missouri Tigers on November 25, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 90 — Elijah Jones
Draft Grade: C
School: Boston Coll.
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 185
Jones adds versatile defensive back depth. Has the ability to grow into a starter at some point if things shake out for him, but he faces a log-jammed depth chart — which is a good thing for the Cardinals.
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 03: Elijah Jones #1 of the Boston College Eagles reacts during the second quarter against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome on November 03, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 89 —Tykee Smith
Draft Grade: B
School: Georgia
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 202
Safety depth here is a solid pull for the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay has a solid third safety or depth safety to pair with Antoine Winfield Jr. for the long term.
ATHENS, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 9: Tykee Smith #23 of the Georgia Bulldogs rushes during a game against the Ball State Cardinals at Sanford Stadium on September 9, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 88 — MarShawn Lloyd
Draft Grade: A+
Pre-Draft Rank: 97
School: USC
Height: 5′ 9″
Weight: 220
Lloyd is a stud. He’s had a bit of a fumbling problem, but he’s a bowling ball with balance and some real breakaway speed. If he’s able to hold onto the ball better he can be an impact running back in the NFL.
EUGENE, OREGON – NOVEMBER 11: MarShawn Lloyd #0 of the USC Trojans runs with the ball in the first half during a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 87 — Marist Liufau
Draft Grade: C
School: Notre Dame
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 234
The Cowboys needed a real linebacker body on their roster and they got one in Liufau. No more safeties at linebacker is a good thing for Dallas, even if Liufau isn’t necessarily a star.
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Marist Liufau #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts in the first quarter during a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 86 —Dominick Puni
Draft Grade: C
Pre-Draft Rank: 66
School: Kansas
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 313
More depth for a 49ers offensive line that’s continuing to find their best starting five after an inconsistent showing in 2023.
LAWRENCE, KS – SEPTEMBER 01: Kansas Jayhawks offensive lineman Dominick Puni (67) before the snap in the second half of a college football game between the Missouri State Bears and Kansas Jayhawks on Sep 1, 2023 at David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 85 — Zak Zinter
Draft Grade: B
Pre-Draft Rank: 99
School: Michigan
Height: 6′ 6″
Weight: 309
The Browns just picked an offensive lineman who has starter potential in the third round. Good move for Cleveland and another member off the All-Juice team is gone.
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Zak Zinter #65 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium on November 18, 2023 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 84 — Roman Wilson
Draft Grade: C
Pre-Draft Rank: 58
School: Michigan
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 185
The Steelers needed some wide receiver depth and they got it, but they might have been better served finding a bigger play wide receiver. Still, Wilson will learn quickly with the big target vacuum he’s walking into.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Roman Wilson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines runs the ball after a catch during the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 83 — Blake Corum
Draft Grade: C+
Pre-Draft Rank: 86
School: Michigan
Height: 5′ 8″
Weight: 205
Corum is a good player, no doubt, but this feels like a weird fit with what Kyren Williams brought to the team last season. Still, a 1-2 punch with Williams and Corum behind a revamped offensive line might rake for the Rams.
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 08: Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) sets his helmet on his head during warmups before the CFP National Championship game Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies on January 8, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 82 — Tip Reiman
Draft Grade: C+
School: Illinois
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 271
Good, big athlete for the Cardinals to pair with Trey McBride. This is the thunder to McBride’s lightning.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – SEPTEMBER 30: Illinois TE Tip Reiman (89) prior to a college football game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and Purdue Boilermakers on September 30, 2023 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Expert Commentary: Pick No. 81 — Christian Haynes
Draft Grade: A+
Pre-Draft Rank: 30
School: Connecticut
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 317
Haynes is a STUD. The Seahawks might have a rookie starting guard in the third round who excels just about everywhere. This is a fantastic pickup.
BOISE, ID – SEPTEMBER 08:Connecticut Huskies offensive lineman Christian Haynes (64) enters the field with teammates before the game between the Connecticut Huskies vs the Boise State Broncos on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Expert Commentary: Pick No. 80 — Jermaine Burton
Draft Grade: B
School: Alabama
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 196
Burton is extremely talented, but had some character red flags this offseason. He’s the perfect guy to pair with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase for the long term — and maybe Tee Higgins, too? Regardless, Burton can make big plays happen downfield.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – OCTOBER 07: Jermaine Burton #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a touchdown in the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on October 07, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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