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The 2024 NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated drafts in recent memory. There are seemingly four top quarterback prospects, along with a slew of top-tier wide receivers and offensive linemen. Teams are looking to trade up, and others are looking to trade back. We could see a flurry of trades on draft night as teams jockey for position. With the number of high-quality players available, the 2024 NFL Draft has the potential to break many records.
2024 NFL Draft Quarterbacks
It is almost an inevitability that four quarterbacks will go in the top ten of the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and JJ McCarthy are all strong candidates to go in the first ten picks. It would be only the second time in NFL history that four quarterbacks went in the first ten picks. The 2018 NFL Draft was the last time it happened, with Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen being off the board when pick 11 was on the clock.
Lurking as fringe first-rounders are Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. The Washington quarterback has gotten some first-round buzz in the past week. While Nix hasn’t impressed during the pre-draft process, some teams may nab him to get the fifth-year option. 1983 was the only other time six quarterbacks went in the first round, with John Elway, Todd Blackledge, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O’Brien, and Dan Marino all being taken. It seems unlikely that the 2024 NFL Draft will break any of these records. However, it could tie both of them.
2024 NFL Draft Offensive Tackles
While the quarterbacks and wide receivers are the fun picks to talk about, teams all over the league need offensive line help. This draft has plenty of talent, and we can see a record number taken in the first round. Seven is the mark to beat set in 2008 when Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Chris Williams, Gosder Cherilus, Jeff Otah, Sam Baker, and Duane Brown all being taken in round one. The 2024 NFL Draft could shatter this record.
Eric Edholm of NFL.com put out his latest mock draft three days ago. A whopping ten offensive tackles are taken in the first round. This is on top of one interior offensive lineman (Jackson Powers-Johnson) being taken as well. Teams need offensive tackle help, and this is the draft to get one, as the position is deep. While these players may not go very fast in the top ten, expect a flurry of offensive tackles at the end of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Can The Wide Receiver Position Break A Record Too?
The 2024 NFL Draft has great wide receiver talent as well. There are many teams looking for some help at the position, which could lead to another record being broken. It’s an outside shot, but the record sits at seven in the 2004 NFL Draft. Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams, Reggie Williams, Lee Evans, Michael Clayton, Michael Jenkins, and Rashaun Woods were all taken in the first round that year. This one seems unlikely to be broken, but there is an outside chance.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze are basically locks. LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is also taken in the first round of many 2024 NFL Draft mocks. From there, six wide receivers could be taken in the first round: Adonai Mitchell, Troy Franklin, Ladd McConkey, Xaiver Legette, Keon Coleman, and Xavier Worthy have all been mocked in the first round by various sources. It would be very surprising if the 2024 NFL Draft broke the wide receiver record, but it is still in play.
The 2024 NFL Draft will be one of the most interesting in recent history. It could also go down as a historic draft.
