Bears select Williams as the first pick in NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears selected Caleb Williams as the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, setting off a quarterback frenzy in Detroit. Williams, a 22-year-old widely hailed as one of the most talented players in recent college football history, was among a record six quarterbacks chosen in the first 12 picks.
In a departure from tradition, no defensive players were selected in the top 10, marking the first time in NFL Draft history that the first 10 picks were all offensive players. The draft drew a record crowd of 250,000 fans to downtown Detroit for the first round, with six additional rounds of selections scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
The quarterback trend continued as the first three picks off the board were all quarterbacks, with Jayden Daniels chosen by the Washington Commanders and Drake Maye selected by the New England Patriots. The Atlanta Falcons surprised many by also drafting a quarterback, Michael Penix Jr from Washington, despite already signing Kirk Cousins in the offseason. The Minnesota Vikings traded up to pick JJ McCarthy, the quarterback from Michigan, with the 10th overall pick. Oregon’s Bo Nix rounded out the quarterback selections, going to the Denver Broncos with the 12th pick.
The draft saw a mix of positions chosen in the first 14 picks, including three wide receivers, four offensive linemen, and a tight end, before the first defensive player, Laiatu Latu, was selected by the Indianapolis Colts.
Caleb Williams, known for his standout career at Oklahoma and later USC, garnered attention as the first overall pick. The quarterback, who won the 2022 Heisman Trophy, faces the challenge of reviving the Chicago Bears, a team with a storied history but recent underperformance in the NFL playoffs. Chicago also bolstered its offense by selecting talented wide receiver Rome Odunze from Washington with the ninth overall pick, adding to the team’s arsenal alongside veteran Keenan Allen.
Following his selection, Williams expressed gratitude and excitement, emphasizing his commitment to the Chicago Bears and his determination to contribute positively to the team. He and Odunze, who arrived at the draft together, are poised to form a dynamic partnership in Chicago’s revitalized offense.
Elsewhere in the draft, the Minnesota Vikings acquired edge rusher Dallas Turner, the Los Angeles Rams picked Jared Verse, and the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to select speedy wide receiver Xavier Worthy, aiming to strengthen their offense as they pursue a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
