Here’s everything that happened in the first round
![Here’s everything that happened in the first round Here’s everything that happened in the first round](https://newsnetdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NFL_Draft_Football_35719-662ad0c9f034a-768x432.jpg)
Patriots
The Patriots made no trades in the first round, standing firm with picks No. 3 and 34 at the end of the first night.
The 2024 NFL Draft will begin at 8 p.m. ET, with the top three picks all expected to be quarterbacks. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and there were plenty of fireworks Thursday night.
However, no chaos came out of Foxborough. The Patriots didn’t make it out of the top three, nor did they make it back to the first round. Instead, they sat right where they were and removed Drake Maye from UNC.
New England’s top positions of need heading into the night were quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle. Turns out the first round was huge for all three positions. Six QBs, WRs and eight OTs were all taken in the first 32 picks, part of a record 23 offensive players selected in the first round.
After the dust settled from the first night, New England looked ahead to the second round, where they were ranked 34th overall. You can follow all of the Patriots picks here. A list of all players selected in the first round is available here.
Here’s what happened in the first round on Thursday:
11:46 p.m.: 49ers draft WR, fueling Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors
At pick No. 31, the San Francisco 49ers addressed a position that is not yet a need, but could soon become one.
Amid rumors of trade talks involving WR Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers used their pick on Ricky Pearsall. The Patriots have reportedly expressed interest in a trade for Aiyuk.
11:28 p.m.: A record 20th offensive player comes off the board
Following a trade with the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs landed the 28th overall pick in the NFL Draft. Their selection? Xavier Worthy, a fast wide player.
This pick officially breaks the record for the most offensive players selected in the first round of the draft. And there are still four choices to make.
Watch: Bill Belichick Fights With ‘Mad Mel Kiper’ Over Edge Rushers
Apparently, the term “edge rusher” is not one that Bill Belichick likes too much. Especially if he doesn’t consider the particular player with that label to be a top player.
During Pat McAfee’s 5th annual draft spectacular, Belichick sparred with Ty Schmidt, under his alias “Mad Mel Kiper,” an impression of ESPN draft insider Mel Kiper.
10:06 p.m.: Another draft trade involving the Vikings
The Vikings are very active in the draft, completing their second trade of the night for the No. 17 pick. They have the only two trades out of 17 picks. Minnesota used this pick on passer Dallas Turner.
9:53 p.m.: The Colts take the first defensive player at 15th overall
After 14 straight offensive picks, the Indianapolis Colts finally found a defensive player, choosing UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu 15th overall.
9:33 p.m.: 6 QBs taken in first 12 picks
The 2024 NFL Draft looks like one for the history books. Six quarterbacks were selected among the first 12 picks. Only once were six principals selected in the first round.
Additionally, the first 12 picks were all offensive players. The record for most offensive picks in the first round is 19, and that record appears destined to be broken by the end of Thursday night.
First draft night trade: New York Jets send No. 10 pick to Vikings; Minnesota selects JJ McCarthy
Rumors surrounding the Vikings’ desire to trade and draft JJ McCarthy have swirled for weeks. In the end, they only had to move up one spot to get Michigan’s signal-caller.
Pick No. 9: Bears draft Rome Odunze
Chicago gives new QB Caleb Williams another weapon in WR Rome Odunze.
Pick No. 8: Atlanta Falcons select Michael Penix Jr.
A major surprise: After signing Kirk Cousins to a contract not long ago, Atlanta appears to be taking his successor No. 8 overall. Although JJ McCarthy is considered the near-unanimous QB4 in the draft, it’s more Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins was reportedly “stunned” by the decision, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Pick #7: Tennessee Titans select OT JC Latham
The Titans needed a tackle and they took the second one off the board in Alabama’s JC Latham.
Pick #6: New York Giants draft WR Malik Nabers
The Giants could have taken a top QB if they wanted at No. 6. However, they instead opted for a potential difference maker at WR.
Pick #5: Chargers Stay, Select OT Joe Alt
And now the highest-rated tackle is coming off the board. The Chargers were considered a prime trade candidate for team QBs in need, but instead get a major line piece at their original spot.
Pick No. 4: Cardinals select Marvin Harrison Jr.
Still no transactions in the top five. Instead, the Arizona Cardinals take the best WR on the board, Marvin Harrison Jr.
8:32 p.m.: Patriots take QB Drake Maye No. 3 overall and fan reactions
The Patriots officially have their QB of the future in Drake Maye, much to the delight of Foxborough fans.
8:28 p.m.: Commanders select quarterback Jayden Daniels
No surprises so far: Washington takes Daniels off the board at No. 2, and the Patriots are on the clock.
8:15 p.m.: The draft is officially open, the Bears select Caleb Williams No. 1 overall.
It’s long been a formality, but now it’s official: The Chicago Bears have selected Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in the 2024 draft.
7:14 p.m.: Jerod Mayo teases the Patriots’ potential plans on draft night.
Jerod Mayo gave fans in Foxborough for the Patriots draft party a little insight into his team’s draft plans. The new head coach told the crowd, “we’re going to have a great player at three years,” according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Not only did Mayo’s comments reinforce the expectation that New England wouldn’t trade out of three, but he also suggested the opposite. Mayo said the Patriots could “always go back to the first round.” There could be more Thursday night outside of the quarterback position.
6:10 p.m.: The latest news on the Patriots’ plans.
Multiple reports emerged earlier Thursday that the likely scenario for the Patriots would be to stay at third overall and select Drake Maye. However, the Patriots could still trade the pick if they receive an offer they “can’t refuse.” Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported. The Giants, who hold the No. 6 pick, and the Vikings, who hold the No. 11 pick, have been widely reported as possible candidates to trade for the No. 3 pick.
More Patriots draft coverage:
Before signing Drake Maye, the Patriots reportedly asked the Chargers about Justin Herbert
5 things to know about new Patriots quarterback Drake Maye
‘He makes big plays’: What Bill Belichick said about the Patriots’ selection of Drake Maye
Eliot Wolf Discussed Patriots Draft Approach and Possibility of Trades
Adam Schefter explained why the Patriots’ top NFL draft pick will be ‘the first moment of truth’
Here’s what readers want the Patriots to do in the 2024 NFL Draft
40 prospects Patriots fans should watch in the 2024 NFL Draft
NFL Draft: 4 wide receivers the Patriots could target in the 2nd round
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