The worst kept secret in the NFL finally came to fruition Thursday as the Chicago Bears selected highly touted USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Bears and their long-suffering fans are hoping the 22-year-old phenom will finally give them some much-needed stability at the quarterback position, which has been evolving since the days of Jim McMahon in the 1980s.
To make way for Williams, Chicago exchange quarterback Justin Fields last month to the Pittsburgh Steelers after the No. 11 pick in the 2021 draft failed to live up to the high expectations set for him. The Bears also hold the No. 9 pick as they look to transform their roster.
The project, which is detained in Detroit, is one of the deepest in years at quarterback, offensive tackle and wide receiver, in part because of the pandemic, which has prompted many players to extend their college careers. As many as five quarterbacks could be taken off the board Thursday, along with up to nine offensive tackles.
Rounds two and three of the draft will take place on Friday, and rounds four through seven on Saturday.
NFL Draft Order and First Round Picks
- No. 1: Chicago Bears – QB Caleb Williams, USC
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- No. 2: Washington Commanders – QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
- No. 3: New England Patriots
- No. 4: Arizona Cardinals
- No. 5: Los Angeles Chargers
- No. 6: New York Giants
- No. 7: Tennessee Titans
- No. 8: Atlanta Falcons
- No. 9: Chicago Bear
- No. 10: New York Jets
- No. 11: Minnesota Vikings
- No. 12: Denver Broncos
- No. 13: The Las Vegas Raiders
- No. 14: New Orleans Saints
- No. 15: Indianapolis Colts
- No. 16: Seattle Seahawks
- No. 17: Jacksonville Jaguars
- No. 18: Cincinnati Bengals
- No. 19: Los Angeles Rams
- No. 20: Pittsburgh Steelers
- No. 21: Miami Dolphins
- No. 22: Philadelphia Eagles
- No. 23: Minnesota Vikings
- No. 24: Dallas Cowboys
- No. 25: Green Bay Packers
- No. 26: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- No. 27: Arizona Cardinals
- No. 28: Buffalo Bills
- No. 29: Detroit Lions
- No. 30: Baltimore Ravens
- No. 31: San Francisco 49ers
- No. 32: Kansas City Chiefs
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