PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There were a few surprises in the first round of the NFL Draft. Here were a couple of moves that most didn't see coming.
I write the word surprise when mock drafts are just a guess to begin with, the shockers plus a few oddities from the 2024 first round:
· Michael Penix to the Falcons with the 8th overall pick. Not only is it surprising that Penix went in the first round or that he went eight overall, Atlanta signed free agent Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million in free agency.
· The first defensive player taken was by the Colts at pick 15, Laiatu Latu (UCLA).
It's the latest a defensive player was ever selected.
· Early in the mock draft season, Michigan QB JJ McCarthy was going late in the first round at best. The Vikings traded up to get him at 10 as half of the top 10 were quarterbacks (NFL first). Bo Nix went to Denver so six of the first 12 were QBs.
· The conference that will cease to exist had three of the top nine picks. Former PAC 12 members-USC (first overall) and Washington (eighth and ninth)
· If you include the 2024 new members, the Big 10 had seven of the first 12 selections
· 3 of the last 5 picks in the first round were wide receivers
