40 Facts About NFL Picks (2024)

A Historic Start to the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft was nothing short of historic. From record-breaking selections to strategic team moves, this draft had it all. Let's dive into some of the most fascinating facts about this year's picks.

1. The Chicago Bears held the first overall pick, having acquired it from the Carolina Panthers prior to the previous year's draft.
2. Quarterback Caleb Williams of USC was widely expected to be the first player taken, regardless of who held the pick.
3. The draft commenced with a historic moment as six quarterbacks were chosen among the first 12 picks, a first in NFL history.
4. A record-breaking 14 offensive players were selected before a defender was drafted, making it the longest streak of offensive selections in NFL draft history.

Quarterback Frenzy

Quarterbacks were the stars of the show in 2024. Teams scrambled to secure their future signal-callers early in the draft.

5. The first 12 picks saw six quarterbacks selected, a record number for the position in the first round of any draft.
6. Bo Nix was chosen by the Denver Broncos, marking a significant addition to their roster.
7. Spencer Rattler, picked by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round, added depth to their quarterback lineup.

Offensive Dominance

Offensive players dominated the early rounds, setting new records and trends.

8. The first running back selected was Jonathon Brooks, taken by the Carolina Panthers in the second round (46th overall).
9. Seven wide receivers were taken in the first round, tying a common draft era record set in 2004.
10. The first 10 wide receivers were selected by the 37th overall pick, showcasing the demand for offensive talent.

Draft Order and Team Strategies

Understanding the draft order and team strategies provides insight into how the 2024 NFL Draft unfolded.

11. The first-round order included the Chicago Bears at No. 1, Washington Commanders at No. 2, and New England Patriots at No. 3.
12. The Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals each held two picks in the first round, while the Panthers and Browns had none.
13. The Buffalo Bills traded and lost wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, leaving them in a desperate situation.
14. The New York Jets are "all-in" for the 2024 NFL Draft after losing Aaron Rodgers for the season.

Best and Worst Picks by Division

Analyzing the best and worst picks by division gives a clearer picture of team performance.

15. The best pick in the NFC East was Ryan Flournoy, a wide receiver from Southeast Missouri State, selected in the sixth round (216th overall).
16. The worst pick in the NFC East was Justin Rogers, a defensive lineman from Auburn, selected in the seventh round (244th overall).
17. The most interesting pick in the NFC East was Spencer Rattler, a quarterback from South Carolina, selected in the fifth round (150th overall).
18. The best pick in the NFC West was Christian Jones, an offensive tackle from Texas, selected in the fifth round (162nd overall).
19. The worst pick in the NFC West was Elijah Klein, an interior offensive lineman from UTEP, selected in the sixth round (220th overall).
20. The most interesting pick in the NFC West was Jalen McMillan, a wide receiver from Washington, selected in the third round (92nd overall).

Team-Specific Highlights

Each team had its own unique approach and standout moments during the draft.

21. The Buffalo Bills might trade up from No. 28 to secure a blue-chip prospect.
22. The New York Jets need to decide whether to take a playmaking wide receiver or an offensive lineman in the first round.
23. Despite several teams signing running backs in free agency, the draft class at the position was perceived as weak.
24. PFF offers a Mock Draft Simulator where users can trade picks and players to simulate their favorite team's draft experience.
25. PFF also provides detailed player profiles for the 2024 NFL Draft class, including NCAA Premium Stats.

In-Depth Analysis by Conference

Breaking down the draft by conference reveals strategic moves and key selections.

26. CBS Sports analyzed each NFC team's best, worst, and most interesting picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
27. The AFC North teams made significant picks, with the Ravens selecting Clemson CB Nate Wiggins and the Bengals bolstering their offensive line with Georgia tackle Amarius Mims.
28. The AFC South teams also made notable selections, including the Colts taking UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu and the Jaguars trading down to select LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
29. The AFC West teams made key picks as well, with the Broncos choosing former Washington and Auburn quarterback Bo Nix and the Chiefs trading up for Texas wideout Xavier Worthy.
30. The NFC East teams had their own standout picks, including the Cowboys trading down to select tackle Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma.
31. The NFC West teams also made significant moves, with the Cardinals securing their top target Marvin Harrison Jr. and the 49ers selecting wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

Draft Day Details

The logistics and broadcast details of the draft added to the excitement.

32. The 2024 NFL Draft took place over three days in Detroit, Michigan, starting on Thursday, April 25, with the first round.
33. The draft was broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, with streaming available on ESPN+ and NFL+.
34. The first round began at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 25.

Player Grades and Team Needs

Grading the players and understanding team needs helps evaluate the draft's impact.

35. CBS Sports provided grades for each team's picks, with the highest grade being an "A" and the lowest being a "C".
36. Teams like the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets had to strategize about their needs, whether to focus on quarterbacks, wide receivers, or offensive linemen.
37. Players like Drake Maye were considered high-risk, high-reward prospects, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the draft.
38. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens consistently seek cornerback assistance, which they addressed with their first-round pick.
39. Some teams looked primed to trade up or down in the first round, adding another layer of strategy to the draft process.
40. ESPN provided updated depth charts for all 32 teams after the draft, helping fans understand the new roster dynamics.

Historic Moments and Strategic Moves

The 2024 NFL Draft was nothing short of historic. With six quarterbacks chosen among the first 12 picks, it set a new record. Offensive players dominated early selections, with 14 taken before any defender. Teams like the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals made significant moves, each holding two first-round picks. The draft saw a mix of strategic trades, like the Buffalo Bills trading up to secure key prospects, and unexpected picks, such as Spencer Rattler going in the fifth round. The event was a blend of excitement and strategy, with teams addressing their needs and setting the stage for the upcoming season. From record-breaking quarterback selections to intriguing late-round picks, the 2024 NFL Draft will be remembered for its unique moments and the impact it will have on the league's future.