Led by Southern California signal-caller Caleb Williams, three quarterbacks proved to be the top three picks at the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Detroit.
The Chicago Bears made Williams the No. 1 overall pick. He became the second USC quarterback drafted with the top pick, joining Carson Palmer (2003, Cincinnati Bengals).
“To be able to be here, it’s an honor,” Williams said on NFL Network after the Bears called his name. “I’m very privileged.”
After winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy, Williams passed for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions for the Trojans in 2023.
The Washington Commanders followed by drafting LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall. Daniels won the Heisman last season, when he threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and only four interceptions while adding 1,134 rushing yards and 10 scores.
“I’m here to get to work,” Daniels said on the broadcast. “… I’m a competitor, a hard worker. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates.”
At No. 3, the New England Patriots turned down trade suitors and kept the pick to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder passed for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.
“Let’s go,” Maye said on the broadcast. “I’m ready to go compete. I’m ready to get to New England. We’re going to have a blast.”
The early sequence marked the fourth time in NFL history that teams have selected quarterbacks with each of the top three picks. It also happened in 1971, 1999 and 2021, when Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance went in the top three.
The Arizona Cardinals added Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick. Harrison, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., has drawn comparisons to legendary Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald Jr.
Harrison Jr. said he was confident that he would be the first wideout selected.
“I just had trust in my abilities,” he said on the broadcast. “I worked so hard to get to this point.”
At No. 5, the Los Angeles Chargers bolstered their offensive line by selecting Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt. It marked the first pick under new coach Jim Harbaugh.
The New York Giants picked the second wideout of the draft when they added playmaker Malik Nabers from LSU with the sixth overall pick.