2024 NFL Draft: Day 1 recap of the first 10 picks

With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears drafted highly regarded USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick to no one's surprise. The Bears and their long-suffering fans hope the 22-year-old phenom will finally bring them much-needed stability at the quarterback position, which has been in flux since Jim McMahon in the 1980s. As part of their effort to revamp their roster, the Bears also selected Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick. 

There were three quarterbacks selected at the top of the draft. The Washington Commanders picked LSU's Jayden Daniels as their No. 2 pick, and the New England Patriots picked North Carolina's Drake Maye at No. 3 to replace former first round pick Mac Jones, who was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last month. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will be paired with Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., the son of legendary Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr. Harrison Jr. was graded among the elite WRs drafted and had one of the highest grades for a WR in NFL history.  

The Los Angeles Chargers and their new head coach Jim Harbaugh were rumored to be trading down, but in the end, they chose Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, hoping that they could protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert from the offensive line.

Atlanta Falcons provided the first major surprise of the first round. Despite signing Kirk Cousins in the offseason, the Washington Redskins selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick. As a result of injuries, Penix was not expected to go until late in the first round. 

The Minnesota Vikings traded with the New York Jets to move up from 11 to 10 to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy led Michigan to a national title in January. 

For the first time since 1970, no defensive player was selected in the top 10 of the NFL draft.