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.
Live95 updates
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Expert Commentary: Pick No. 42 — Kamari Lassiter
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Draft Grade: A
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Pre-Draft Rank: 44
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School: Georgia
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Height: 6′ 0″
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Weight: 186
Just like McKinstry in the last pick, Lassiter isn’t a burner. However, he’s a physical, talented cornerback that has the ability to tackle in the open field and come in as a Day 1 starter at nickel for the Texans. This is a great pick.
ATHENS, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 9: Kamari Lassiter #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs gets into position 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) -
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Expert Commentary: Pick No. 41 — Kool-Aid McKinstry
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Draft Grade: A
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Pre-Draft Rank: 32
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School: Alabama
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Height: 6′ 0″
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Weight: 199
The Saints traded up to stop the slide of McKinstry, getting a cornerback to continue to round out what’s a very competitive group for the Saints. McKinstry was once viewed as a first-round pick, so this might be a good value pickup for the Saints — despite their need to continue to spend future assets.
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 05: Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in action against the LSU Tigers during a game at Tiger Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) -
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Expert Commentary: Pick No. 40 — Cooper DeJean
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Draft Grade: A+
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Pre-Draft Rank: 17
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School: Iowa
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Height: 6′ 1″
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Weight: 203
DeJean’s slide stops here. He has the talent to play any spot in the secondary, including the outside. The Eagles needed to continue to revamp their secondary with young talent and they’ve done a hell of a job by adding DeJean to a draft class that includes Quinyon Mitchell.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 19: Cooper DeJean #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes competes against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first quarter of the game at Huntington Bank Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Hawkeyes defeated the Golden Gophers 13-10. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) -
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Expert Commentary: Pick No. 39 — Braden Fiske
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Draft Grade: C
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Pre-Draft Rank: 93
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School: Florida St.
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Height: 6′ 4″
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Weight: 292
The Rams definitely had a need for a disruptive defensive presence, but Fiske has a bit of an odd profile. He’s a freakish athlete, but also an older prospect — which, admittedly, the Rams had success with a year ago. Fiske needs to add some strength to be an every-down player in the NFL, but there is some upside here considering his athleticism. A 2025 second round pick is a high price to pay here.
CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 16: Thomas Castellanos #1 of the Boston College Eagles evades a tackle by Braden Fiske #55 of the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Alumni Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) -
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Expert Commentary: No. 38 — T’Vondre Sweat
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Draft Grade: D+
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Pre-Draft Rank: 42
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School: Texas
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Height: 6′ 5″
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Weight: 366
The Titans got bigger on defense, but it’s fair to wonder where his skill set fits in the modern NFL. He’s not going to be a pass rush threat at around 370 pounds, but at least should have some impact against the run. This feels a bit early for a pure run stuffer.
FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 11: Texas Longhorns defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat (93) walks the sideline during a game between the Texas Longhorns and TCU Horned Frogs college football game on November 11, 2023 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) -
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Expert Commentary: Pick No. 36 — Jer’Zhan Newton
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Draft Grade: A
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Pre-Draft Rank: 28
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School: Illinois
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Height: 6′ 2″
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Weight: 304
Love this pick for the Commanders. Newton has had some struggles with a foot injury over the past few months, but he’s as talented as they come for interior pressure players. He’s got a wide repertoire of pass-rush moves and if his foot is good to go, he and Jonathan Allen will wreck heads for Dan Quinn’s defense.
Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) -
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Expert Commentary: Pick No. 35 — Ruke Orhorhoro
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Draft Grade: C-
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School: Clemson
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Height: 6′ 4″
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Weight: 294
Orhorhoro has some nice traits where he’ll have the chance to grow and develop into a nice, disruptive player, but it’s a little interesting that the Falcons felt like they needed to trade up for him. Perhaps their bet on his upside works, but it just didn’t seem like they needed to give up draft capital to pick him right outside the first round.
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 25: Ruke Orhorhoro #33 of the Clemson Tigers reacts during their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) -
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Expert Commentary: Pick No. 34 — Ladd McConkey
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Draft Grade: B
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Pre-Draft Rank: 35
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School: Georgia
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Height: 6′ 0″
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Weight: 186
The Chargers desperately needed a wide receiver and traded up to get the speedy playmaker from Georgia. He was a force for the Dawgs from Day 1 and a fantastic route runner for an offense that featured several NFL players. It’s an unproven wide receiver room for the Chargers, but McConkey and Quentin Johnston have some promise at least.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 30: Ladd McConkey #84 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs for a touchdown in the first half against the Florida State Seminoles during the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images) -
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Expert Commentary: Pick No. 33 — Keon Coleman
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Draft Grade: B
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Pre-Draft Rank: 33
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School: Florida St.
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Height: 6′ 3″
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Weight: 213
If you told people Keon Coleman would still be available here back in September, it would have sounded crazy. He’s got big-time talent, but suffered through some inconsistencies over the back half of his final season. Running the 40 in the 4.6 didn’t help his cause, but he might be type of receiver that should have success in the NFL.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 14: Keon Coleman #4 of the Florida State Seminoles runs with the ball during the first half of a game against the Syracuse Orange at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) -
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Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
