2024 NFL Draft tracker: Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. pick may have required some explaining, other viral moments (2024)

The 2024 NFL Draft is finally here, kicking off on Thursday in Detroit. Round 1 hopefuls and NFL fans waited patiently on Day 1 as the teams selected players to add to their squad.

The Chicago Bears had the No. 1 overall pick and, as expected, took USC quarterback Caleb Williamsin hopes that he will be their next franchise starter. The Washington Commanders followed, selecting LSU QBJayden Daniels and the New England Patriots rounded out the top three with North Carolina QB Drake Maye.

While there is a lot of excitement in the selections, the action outside of the picks is entertaining as well. Here are some of the best moments from Round 1, from Detroit legends to confusing picks and everything in-between:

Eminem and other Detroit legends

The draft kicked off in a very fitting and very Detroit way, with legends from the city and from the Lions. Commissioner Roger Goodell teased a rap battle with Eminem, but after introducing him on the draft stage, changed his mind. The crowd quickly went from booing the commissioner to cheering for one of the cities most iconic artists.

Current Lions Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson and Pro Football Hall of Famers Calvin Johnsonand Barry Sanders all took the stage alongside Slim Shady.

Whaddup doe? 🙌@eminem and @nflcommish take the Draft stage in the 313. pic.twitter.com/rhwbe0KxyI

— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 26, 2024

History made

This drafts marks the earliest four quarterbacks have been selected in the common draft era (since 1967). USC's Caleb Williams was the first QB and first player off the board, going to the Chicago Bears. Two more quarterbacks followed, with the Washington Commanders selecting LSU's Jayden Daniels and the New England Patriots picking Drake Maye out of North Carolina.

After quarterbacks went with the first three picks, players in the position took a pause from being selected, but not for long. At No. 8 the Atlanta Falcons, who signed quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, surprised most by adding to their QB room with Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington.

Not only was it the fastest that four quarterbacks were taken, it was also the first time in draft history that six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks. The last time six quarterbacks were taken was in 1983, which included John Elway, Jim Kelly, Ken O'Brien and Dan Marino. This group has a lot to live up to.

The number of offensive players taken to kick off the event was unprecedented. It was the first time the that all of the top 14 selections were offensive players and was the longest streak of offensive players taken at any point. The longest a draft had previously gone before a defensive player was off the board was seven picks in 2021, when the Carolina Panthers took Jaycee Horn at No. 8

Walter Payton Man of the Year announces pick

The Walter Payton Man of the Year award is known as the most prestigious award in the NFL. Goodell noted that while the draftees will make a difference on the field, their difference off the field will be felt as well. He then introduced the 2023 winner of the award Cam Heyward. The Steeler has made many positive contributions to the community, including creating Cam's Kindness Week, where he reaches out to various areas of the community daily, and working with The Caring Place, which offers programs to support children and families who are grieving after a devastating loss.

In his speech, Heyward had a challenge for NFL players and the players being added to the league this weekend.

"Use your platform to brighten someone's day. The opportunity before you is a gift and by coming here and being in this league, seize that moment. Be better in our communities, be better for our league and our world," he said.

He then announced that with the No. 20 overall pick, the Steelersseelct Troy Fautanu, who was emotional while receiving the call.

Our Captain & 2023 Walter Payton @NFL Man of the Year announced the pick of @tFautanu 🙌 @CamHeyward | 📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ABC/ESPN pic.twitter.com/QjJ7wAQpqi

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 26, 2024

Jordan joins from Australia

The NFL has been making an effort to expand to other countries, with multiple games in various places around the world. What started as a program with games in London has expanded to Germany and Brazil.

Philadelphia's Jordan Mailata announced the Eagles' first-round selection from Australia and the best part is, he did it in an Australian accent. Defensive back Quinyon Mitchellwas the Eagles pick, off the board at No. 22.

Fly, @QuinyonMitchell, fly! 🦅 @jordan_mailata announces his new teammate, all the way from Australia! @NFLAUNZ | @Eagles

📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/U1dKA4NZ0h

— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024

Checking in with the man of the moment @jordan_mailata after announcing the first ever @NFLDraft pick from Australia 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/TNHF4Uk45M

— NFL Australia & NZ (@NFLAUNZ) April 26, 2024

Kevin O'Connell's trade reaction

The Minnesota Vikings traded up from No. 23 to No. 17 to get Alabama edge Dallas Turner. When head coach Kevin O'Connell heard the trade was happening and the team would be able to get its guy, he had quite the reaction. Clearly Turner was a player O'Connell wanted, and for good reason.

Here is a look at the reaction and the phone call that followed:

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 26, 2024

The Vikings took McCarthy with their first selection of the night and were able to get two key players without giving up a first-rounder next year.

Falcons' pick need explaining?

The Falcons had the biggest surprise pick of the night, taking quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8, despite signing Kirk Cousins for $180 million this offseason. The selection left fans with puzzled faces. If the pick works out, the Falcons will have the last laugh, but right now it leaves for a lot of second-guessing.

After the selection, it looked as if general manager Terry Fontenot was explaining himself to owner Arthur Blank. What was really being said, we may never know. Perhaps they were discussing what food they would get when the draft concludes, but it was perfectly timed for the internet to run wild with it.

This very much looks like Terry Fontenot trying to explain himself #Falcons #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/1vl7CgIrfV

— Cody Chaffins (@CodyChaffins) April 26, 2024

Penn State coach congratulates first-rounders

A pair of Nittany Lions got selected in the first round: The New York Jets took offensive tackle Olu Fashanu with the No. 11 overall pick and the Miami Dolphins took pass rusherChop Robinsonat No. 21. With two of his former players getting selected in the first round, Penn State coach James Franklin wanted to make sure he was there to congratulate them both in person. The two players live close, which made the surprise possible.

Check out their priceless reactions to seeing their former coach show up at their house on draft day:

When you have two first-rounders that live an hour apart… you make it happen.

Made it just in time. 😂 @CoachJFranklin pic.twitter.com/ALHKJSuwip

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) April 26, 2024

This scene definitely makes the cut of best Round 1 moments.

2024 NFL Draft tracker: Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. pick may have required some explaining, other viral moments (2024)

FAQs

Where is the NFL draft 2025? ›

Green Bay will host the draft April 24-26, 2025. It's the culmination of years of preparation and bids to bring the event to Wisconsin. Nick Meisner of Discover Green Bay said planners are still processing what they saw and learned at the recent draft in Detroit.

How many draft picks do the Jets have in 2024? ›

Jets Have Seven Picks in the 2024 NFL Draft Including 'Mr.

Where do most NFL players get drafted from? ›

Georgia holds the record for most NFL draft selections by a college in a single year since the NFL draft became seven rounds in 1994, setting the mark at 15 players in 2022. 2004 Miami tied 2021 Alabama for the record for most first-round picks at six. The Hurricanes finished with nine total selections.

Where are most NFL players drafted from? ›

College Football Teams With Most NFL Draft Picks All Time, Ranked
  • Georgia. NFL Draft picks: 371. ...
  • Florida. NFL Draft picks: 372. ...
  • LSU. NFL Draft picks: 375. ...
  • Penn State. NFL Draft picks: 381. ...
  • Oklahoma. NFL Draft picks: 414. ...
  • Ohio State. NFL Draft picks: 485. ...
  • USC. NFL Draft picks: 523. ...
  • Notre Dame. NFL Draft picks: 525.
Apr 25, 2024

Who was Mr. Irrelevant in 2024? ›

Alabama safety Jaylen Key was chosen Saturday with the final pick of the 2024 NFL draft, making him the annual "Mr. Irrelevant" of the draft. Key was the No. 257 overall pick, part of the seventh round, by the New York Jets.

Who has the most draft picks in 2024? ›

The Cardinals, Packers and Rams have the most picks in the draft with 11 each, while the Bears have the fewest with four picks (including two in the first round). The Panthers, Browns and Texans currently do not have a pick in the first round.

Who has the number one pick in the 2024 draft? ›

The order for all 32 picks in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft is set, with the Chicago Bears picking No. 1 and the Washington Commanders picking No. 2.

Where exactly is the NFL draft this year? ›

2022 NFL draft
LocationCaesars Forum Paradise, Nevada
Network(s)ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio
Overview
262 total selections in 7 rounds
9 more rows

What state is the NFL draft in this year? ›

Bringing the Draft to the Masses
YearDraft Location
2021Cleveland
2022Las Vegas
2023Kansas City
2024Detroit
7 more rows

Where is the NFL draft this year? ›

2021: Cleveland. 2022: Las Vegas. 2023: Kansas City, Missouri. 2024: Detroit.

How many world championships do the Packers have? ›

The Green Bay Packers have won more championships -- 13 -- than any other team in National Football League history. They won their first three by league standing (1929, 1930 and 1931), and 10 since the NFL's playoff system was established in 1933 (1936, 1939, 1944, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1996 and 2010).

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 5791

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.