2024 NFL Draft: First Round Recap and Surprises

NFL Overreactions: First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Mackenzie Salmon breaks down some of the biggest shocks (and expected picks) of the NFL Draft on night one.

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The first round of the 2024 NFL draft provided a wild night, quarterbacks and offensive players flying off the board at an unprecedented clip – no selection more stunning than the Atlanta Falcons’ decision to take Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick.

Such theatrics may be hard to top Friday, when Rounds 2 and 3 will be conducted in downtown Detroit, but more surprises are doubtless in store, especially with teams like the Bills, Texans and Browns set to choose their first players of this draft.

USA TODAY Sports will track and analyze every selection from No. 33 overall to 100, which will mark the conclusion of Day 2:

2024 NFL draft tracker: Second-round picks

If not for a 4.6 40 time at the scouting combine, the All-ACC selection probably would have easily been a first-rounder. But his game speed seems to belie his timed speed, and his size (6-3, 213) is also an asset – particularly with contested catches. And with the departures of WRs Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Coleman could quickly emerge as WR1, albeit for a passing game that could be dominated by tight ends.

The Bolts trade up to address the departures of starting WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. McConkey would provide QB Justin Herbert with a reliable option either outside or from the slot, where he could maybe best complement 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston, who struggled as a rookie. On the small side (6-0, 186), McConkey offers sub-4.4 speed and quickness and is a plus route runner with return ability. Back and ankle injuries limited him to nine games last season. He is not related to former Giants WR Phil McConkey.

35. Atlanta Falcons (from Arizona Cardinals): DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson

He had nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss over the past two years for the Tigers. Orhorhoro could succeed Grady Jarrett in a year while playing behind him and David Onyemata and refining his craft in the interim for a defense that needs to generate more pressure. A bit unpolished, Orhorhoro is definitely a good athlete, the 6-4, 294-pounder running a sub-4.9 40 at the combine.

The Big Ten’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who’s 6-2 and 304 pounds, is strong, tough, twitchy and certainly disruptive enough to make an impact right away. Does his arrival signal Jonathan Allen or Daron Payne could be moving on?

Rome Odunze’s wingman with the Huskies, Polk is more than Robin – accumulating 69 grabs for 1,159 yards and nine TDs for the national champion runners-up. The size (6-1, 203) and 4.5 speed should make him a fixture in three-receiver sets … and maybe even rookie QB Drake Maye’s primary target in Foxborough.

38. Tennessee Titans: DT T’Vondre Sweat, Texas

The Big 12 defensive player of the year, they don’t come much bigger than the 6-5, 366-pounder. His weight and a recent DWI arrest didn’t help Sweat during the pre-draft process, but the man can still plug a hole. And he’ll likely help Pro Bowl DT Jeffery Simmons penetrate even more effectively. Not much of a pass rusher himself, Sweat had five sacks in five years with the Longhorns.

39. Los Angeles Rams (from New York Giants via Panthers): DT Braden Fiske, Florida State

A highly athletic interior disruptor − no, he’s not Aaron Donald – Fiske should help fellow rookie and ex-Seminole Jared Verse plug that sizable void on LA’s line. Fiske was one of the combine’s stars, running a 4.78 40 at 6-4, 292 pounds. He had six sacks in his only season with FSU after transferring from Western Michigan.

A souped-up athlete and 2023 All-American who was named the Big Ten’s top defensive back last season, DeJean can play pretty much anywhere in the secondary and can also help as a punt returner. He ran a 4.43 40 at a personal workout earlier this month, apparently nicely recovered from last November’s broken leg. Could play a lot of slot and safety in Philly.

41. New Orleans Saints (from New York Jets via Green Bay Packers): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

A two-time All-SEC selection who went through his pro day paces on a broken foot – running a sub-4.5 40 in the process – he’s got first-round ability and, certainly, toughness. Doesn’t turn the ball over much with just two INTs in three seasons for Bama. Over three seasons, he only surrendered three TD passes.

42. Houston Texans (from Minnesota Vikings): CB Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

Could be a nickel in what’s shaping up as a deep secondary in Houston, though didn’t play much in the slot for the Dawgs. A 4.65 40 time at his pro day is a red flag.

43. Cardinals (from Falcons): CB Max Melton, Rutgers

Picked off eight passes in three years for the Scarlet Knights. With 4.39 speed, the 5-11, 187-pounder could show up in Arizona as the Cards’ top corner, and his aggressiveness should translate well to a young defense.

44. Las Vegas Raiders: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

The 2023 Rimington Trophy winner as the country’s best college center, “JPJ” – who excels as a run and pass blocker – might shift to guard for Vegas. He only allowed three pressures in three years with the Ducks.

45. Packers (from Denver Broncos via Saints): LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

An All-American in 2023, the do-it-all off-ball linebacker should be quite a chess piece for a new-look Green Bay defense. Cooper had eight sacks and 17 TFLs last season but is just as comfortable in coverage or stopping the run.

Explosive runner who had 1,425 yards and 11 TDs from scrimmage in 2023, averaging 6.7 yards per touch. Might have been a first-round pick had he not torn an ACL last November. Relatively low usage (266 touches in three seasons) could be a boon moving forward. Could unseat Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders atop Carolina’s depth chart.

A team that lost Xavier McKinney in free agency gets perhaps this draft’s best safety. Nubin had 12 INTs over the past three years. Usually a center fielder, he can also defend from the slot.

48. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Maason Smith, LSU

Could reach estimable potential as he joins a Jags line that also just welcomed veteran DT Arik Armstead and has Josh Allen and Travon Walker on the edges. Smith should be another who can slice through the gaps and disrupt a pocket.

49. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Kris Jenkins, Michigan

One of the leaders of the Wolverines’ championship season, the son of the former NFL star of the same name gets a chance to spotlight his own in Cincy. With B.J. Hill and Joseph Ossai, pretty good rotation forming here.

50. Commanders (from Saints via Eagles): DB Mike Sainristil

Could be this year’s premier nickel, the converted receiver picking off six passes in 2023. The All-American’s reputation as a leader should be a nice fit for a rebooting defense in D.C.

51. Pittsburgh Steelers

52. Panthers (from Rams)

53. Commanders (from Eagles)

54. Cleveland Browns

55. Miami Dolphins

56. Dallas Cowboys

57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

58. Green Bay Packers

59. Houston Texans

60. Buffalo Bills

61. Detroit Lions

62. Baltimore Ravens

63. San Francisco 49ers

64. Kansas City Chiefs

2024 NFL draft tracker: Third-round picks

65. Carolina Panthers

66. Arizona Cardinals

67. Washington Commanders

68. New England Patriots

69. Los Angeles Chargers

70. New York Giants

71. Arizona Cardinals (from Tennessee Titans)

72. New York Jets

73. Dallas Cowboys (from Detroit Lions through Minnesota Vikings)

74. Atlanta Falcons

75. Chicago Bears

76. Denver Broncos

77. Las Vegas Raiders

78. Eagles (Seattle Seahawks via Commanders)

79. Cardinals (from Jaguars via Falcons):

80. Cincinnati Bengals

81. Seattle Seahawks (from New Orleans Saints through Denver Broncos)

82. Indianapolis Colts

83. Los Angeles Rams

84. Pittsburgh Steelers

85. Cleveland Browns

86. Houston Texans (from Philadelphia Eagles)

87. Dallas Cowboys

88. Green Bay Packers

89. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

90. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston Texans)

91. Green Bay Packers (from Buffalo Bills)

92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Detroit Lions)

93. Baltimore Ravens

94. San Francisco 49ers

95. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs)

96. Jacksonville Jaguars (compensatory selection)

97. Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory selection)

98. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Philadelphia Eagles; special compensatory selection)

99. Los Angeles Rams (special compensatory selection)

100. Washington Commanders (from San Francisco 49ers; special compensatory selection)

For many of college football’s most accomplished players, the NFL draft provides a signature moment as they transition to the professional ranks. Others, however, face a harsh fate – and wait – over the course of the three-day event. As the 2024 NFL draft moves into its second night, keep an eye on these seven notable figures who could be in for an extended wait before they’re picked.

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz revealed his final list of the best 125 players on this year’s board Thursday morning. A good chunk of those players were selected in Round 1 but many quality ones remain available Friday. Here are the top 10 going into Round 2:

19. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

20. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

27. Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

29. Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

30. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

32. Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State

34. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

35. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

37. Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky

38. Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

Read the full list of top players with analysis

The aftermath of Day 1 leaves plenty of intrigue and controversy ahead of the draft’s next two days … along with runaway optimism and, perhaps, relief in other quarters. The event is only 12% complete, but it feels like 88% of its major lead-in questions were answered – though others have certainly surfaced. So far, the Bears and Giants QB Daniel Jones are among the victors while the Falcons passers and Cowboys … are not.

Read Nate Davis’ first-round winners and losers

What time does the 2024 NFL draft start?

Date: Friday, April 26 (Rounds 2-3)

Start time: 7 pm ET

When is the 2024 NFL draft?

The 2024 NFL draft began Thursday (Round 1), continues Friday (Rounds 2-3) and concludes Saturday (Rounds 4-7) at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit.

How to watch the 2024 NFL draft

Live coverage of the NFL draft can be found on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and NFL Network. Streaming coverage is also available on ESPN+, NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, Fubo TV and Sling TV.

Rounds 2-3: Friday, 7 p.m. ET

Rounds 4-7: Saturday, noon ET

More

Labeling Iowa first-round prospect Cooper DeJean isn’t easy

Whichever NFL team drafts Cooper DeJean will decide how to best utilize his skill set and athleticism. The former Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback is one of the draft’s most intriguing prospects to evaluators thanks to the versatility he showed in his three seasons of college play. He’s also an anomaly himself.

DeJean is a cornerback. DeJean is white. DeJean is a white cornerback.

To refer to him as a “defensive back” or prognosticate a necessary transition to safety is “mind-blowing,” according to ESPN analyst and former NFL cornerback Domonique Foxworth.

Read Chris Bumbaca’s full feature here

NFL draft’s 50* biggest busts

The New York Jets’ trade of QB Zach Wilson this week underscored anew how badly the 2021 NFL draft went for so many quarterback-desperate teams. Yet draft history is littered with busts, particularly in Round 1, like Wilson, Trey Lance and Mac Jones, so beware before you get overly optimistic about the guy your team chooses tonight. Here’s a thorough look back at the 50 most notable draft washouts from the past 50 years … and we (justifiably*) found a way to shoehorn more than 50 onto the list.

Read Nate Davis’s complete rankings here

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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

2024-04-27 00:22:30
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