Highlights from NFL Draft 2024 round 1

Round one of the NFL draft might be over, but there's still plenty to catch up on. See what you missed below and follow the latest at apnews.com.

The first round of the 2024 NFL draft opened with the Chicago Bears picking USC quarterback Caleb Williams, the first of six QBs in the top 12 picks — he was followed by Jayden Daniels (Commanders), Drake Maye (Patriots), Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons), J.J. McCarthy (Vikings) and Bo Nix (Broncos).

A big draft for Big Blue

Michigan is expected to break the record of 15 NFL draft picks in a year from one school, set by Georgia in 2022, but the Wolverines only saw one player selected in the first round: J.J. McCarthy, 10th overall to the Minnesota Vikings.

Michigan has a number of talented players still available in the draft, including three-year starting linebacker Junior Colson, nickel corner Mike Sainristil and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. The Wolverines made the past three College Football playoffs and won the 2023 national championship.

SEC leads all conferences with 11 first-round picks

The SEC dominated Round 1, with the now scattered Pac-12 next.

SEC - 11

Pac-12 - 8

Big Ten - 4

ACC - 4

Big 12 - 3

MAC - 1

Independent (ND) - 1

Vikings wheel and deal to get their guys in Round 1

The Minnesota Vikings traded up twice in the first round, jumping one spot to No. 10 for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy to ensure they didn't miss out on their most dire need and making a six-spot leap to No. 17 for Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner.

"I always talk about minimizing regret," Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. "Obviously I'm a spreadsheet-calculator guy myself, but sometimes you've got to step out from there, take your Clark Kent glasses off and just have a championship mindset and swing for a great player."

▶Read more on the Vikings' wheeling and dealing

Penix on Cousins: 'I'm going to learn from him'

Michael Penix Jr. says he's looking forward to learning from Kirk Cousins. The Falcons drafted Penix No. 8 overall despite signing Cousins to be their quarterback on a four-year, $180 million contract a month ago.

"I'm blessed with the opportunity," Penix said. "I'm going to take advantage and make the most out of it. For me coming in behind Kirk Cousins, he's a guy who has been in the league and ... played a lot of football. I'm going to come in and I'm gong to learn, I'm going to learn from him and try to soak in all the knowledge I can."

▶Read more on the Falcons' stunning Penix pick

Best players available going into Round 2

The 10 best players still available after the first round of the NFL draft:

-Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

-Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas

-Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia

-Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

-Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon.

-Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

-Junior Colson, LB, Michigan

-Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

-Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State

-Payton Wilson, LB, North Carolina State

Drake Maye: 'I'm not going to be Tom Brady'

Drake Maye knows who the man is in New England.

"Tom Brady's the G.O.A.T. It's easy to say that," Maye said. "I'm not going to be Tom Brady. I'm just going to try to be Drake Maye. From there I'm just trying to learn from him. and hopefully try to get to know him a little bit. Other than that, try to soak it up and be a sponge. And try to learn all I can from him. He's the man in that town."

▶Read more on the Patriots new quarterback

It was a record night for offensive players, but no running backs got picked

On a record opening night of the NFL draft for offensive players, no running backs got taken.

For the third time in the common draft era since 1967, no running backs were drafted in the first round. The only other times that happened were in 2022 when Breece Hall was the first running back taken at No. 36 and in 2014 when Bishop Sankey went 54th.

There were a record 23 offensive players taken overall, topping the previous mark of 19. There were six QBs, nine offensive linemen, a record-tying seven receivers and one tight end taken.

No. 32 pick (trade): Xavier Legette to the Panthers

The Carolina Panthers moved up one spot to acquire a first-round selection, taking Legette at No. 32 overall after sending the first pick in the second round and a fifth-round pick to Buffalo to land the South Carolina receiver along with a sixth-round slot.

No. 31 pick: Ricky Pearsall to the 49ers

The NFC champion San Francisco 49ers selected the Florida wide receiver with their first pick in the opening round since 2021.

No. 30 pick: Nate Wiggins to the Ravens

Baltimore added some much-needed talent, taking Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins at No. 30 overall after losing some important players from last year's team that won the AFC North.

A special phone call for Laiatu Latu

Laiatu Latu was just moments into his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts when he got a call from Colts owner Jim Irsay right on the draft stage.

"I was on the phone for like a good five minutes," Latu said, "but then they were rushing me to get off the stage but I wanted to talk to him."

Latu said Irsay couldn't wait to get him in the team facilities to train, especially alongside edge rusher Kwity Paye. The Colts drafted Paye, a Michigan product, in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

No. 29 pick: Tyler Guyton to the Cowboys

Dallas took the Oklahoma offensive tackle at No. 29 overall after trading down with Detroit to improve their positioning later in the draft.

No. 28 pick (trade): Xavier Worthy to the Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Kansas City made a deal with AFC rival Buffalo to move up four spots to select the Texas receiver, who set an NFL combine record with a 4.21 40-yard dash.

Kansas City gave up the No. 32 pick along with third- and seventh-round picks to acquire the Bills' first-round pick along with fourth- and seventh-round selections.

Arnold wastes no time endearing himself to Detroit crowd

Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Detroit Lions with the 24th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

After the Lions traded up for the 24th pick to select him, the Alabama cornerback told the Detroit crowd "I'm home, man, I'm home."

Arnold is the third Alabama player drafted in the first round after JC Latham went No. 7 to the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Turner went No. 17 to the Minnesota Vikings.

Arnold attended the draft wearing a suit dedicated to his upbringing, with photos of his family and the Crimson Tide program.

Bears beam hologram Caleb Williams into Soldier Field watch party

Fans at the Chicago Bears' draft party at Soldier Field got to see No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams up close and personal — sort of.

The Bears beamed in a hologram of Williams doing an interview with Jeff Joniak, the voice of the Bears. The experience came courtesy of Proto, a holographic experience vendor.

A record 19 offensive players have gone in the first round

There's been a record-tying haul of offensive players taken in the first round of the draft.

Tampa Bay took Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton 26th overall as the 19th offensive player drafted. That ties the mark in the common draft era previously reached in 2009, 2004 and 1968.

The first 14 players taken were on offense as teams focused heavily on quarterbacks, pass catchers and blockers. There have been a record-tying six QBs taken, eight offensive linemen, four receivers and one tight end.

No. 27 pick: Darius Robinson to the Cardinals

Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson poses with fans after being chosen by the Arizona Cardinals with the 27th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Arizona ended a long wait for the last player waiting in the green room to hear his name called, drafting the Missouri edge rusher and Motor City native with the No. 27 pick overall.

No. 26 pick: Graham Barton to the Buccaneers

Tampa Bay bolstered the middle of its offensive line by selecting the Duke center.

Only one player remains in the NFL draft green room

Just 13 players accepted invitations to attend the NFL draft in Detroit and after 26 picks, one of them was still waiting in the green room: Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson.

No. 25 pick: Jordan Morgan to the Packers

Green Bay, host of next year's draft, took the Arizona offensive tackle at No. 25 overall.

No. 24 pick (trade): Terrion Arnold to the Lions

Detroit made a deal with Dallas, trading up five spots to take the Alabama cornerback to fire up a sea of fans decked out in Honolulu blue and silver watching the draft.

The Cowboys acquired the No. 29 pick and a third-round selection, No. 73 overall, and gave up a seventh-round selection in the trade.

No. 23 pick: Brian Thomas to the Jaguars

LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. celebrates with fans after being chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 23rd overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Jacksonville selected the LSU wide receiver after trading down from pick No. 17 in a deal with Minnesota.

No. 22 pick: Quinyon Mitchell to the Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Philadelphia bolstered its secondary selecting the speedy Toledo cornerback.

WATCH: Drake Maye on his southern accent

No. 21 pick: Chop Robinson to the Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins, with a first-round pick for the first time in three years, selected the Penn State edge rusher.

No. 20 pick: Troy Fautanu to the Steelers

Cameron Heyward, winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, right, stands on stage after announcing a pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Pittsburgh took the Washington offensive tackle to help keep quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields upright.

WATCH: Drake Maye shares how he plans to approach the NFL

WATCH: Malik Nabers on his upbringing in Louisiana

Best players left include several cornerbacks

Teams needing a cornerback at the end of the first round of the NFL draft will be in luck. All the best ones are available: Terrion Arnold and Kool-aid McKinstry of Alabama and Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell were at the top of the list of best players still available after 19 picks.

Some other top names:

-LSU WR Brian Thomas

-Washington OL Troy Fautanu

-Duke OL Graham Barton

No. 19 pick: Jared Verse to the Rams

Los Angeles Rams fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The Los Angeles Rams, drafting in the opening round for the first time since taking Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016, selected the Florida State edge rusher.

No. 18 pick: Amarius Mims to the Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals fans cheer during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Cincinnati was looking for an offensive lineman to help protect quarterback Joe Burrow and landed the Georgia offensive tackle.

Vikings trade up to No. 17

Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner reacts as he puts on a hat after being chosen by the Minnesota Vikings with the 17th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Minnesota moved up with their second trade of the night to select Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner.

No. 16 pick: Byron Murphy to the Seahawks

Seattle extended the short run of defensive players going off the board, drafting the Texas defensive tackle with the No. 16 pick.

Defensive players were taken with consecutive picks, following 14 straight from the offensive side of the ball.

WATCH: Marvin Harrison Jr. on his dad's impact

WATCH: Jayden Daniels on football and his identity

The Pac-12 is crushing its last draft before realignment

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, left, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Chicago Bears with the ninth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The final season of Pac-12 football created an impressive draft haul.

Six players from the conference that got broken up by realignment were taken in the first 15 picks, leading all conferences.

USC's Caleb Williams went first, followed by two players from conference champion Washington with Michael Penix Jr. going eighth and Rome Odunze ninth. Oregon's Bo Nix then went 12th, Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga 14th and UCLA's Laiati Latu was the 15th pick.

The only conference that had at least six players picked in the top 15 since 2011 was the SEC, which did it seven times with a high of nine players in 2020.

That's offensive: First defensive player isn't picked until Latu at No. 15

UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu puts on a hat after being chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player selected in the NFL draft, going No. 15 overall to Indianapolis to snap a record streak of 14 straight offensive players taken.

The previous latest a defensive player was drafted came in 2021, when the Carolina Panthers took cornerback Jaycee Horn eighth overall.

It was the first time 14 straight offensive players were taken at any point in the draft.

No. 15 pick: Laiatu Latu to the Colts

UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu walks on stage during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Finally, a team took a defensive player in a city known as The D.

Indianapolis selected the UCLA edge rusher with the No. 15 pick overall, ending the longest drought before a defensive player was drafted since 1967.

No. 14 pick: OT Fuaga to the Saints

New Orleans selected Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga, a second-team All-America offensive tackle.

Air show: Receivers and tight ends also flying fast in first round

The pass-happy nature of this draft goes beyond the six quarterbacks in the first 12 picks. There has also been a heavy focus on pass catchers — with three wide receivers and a tight end taken so far.

Only the Chargers, Titans and Jets bucked this trend by selecting linemen, and we're still waiting for the first defensive pick.

Raiders select Brock Bowers at No. 13

Las Vegas kept the run on offensive players going, taking the Georgia tight end with the No. 13 pick _ leaving another team to take the first defensive player off the board.

Pick-6: Six QBs go in first 12 picks for first time

Denver took Bo Nix with the 12th pick overall, completing a stunning run of a half-dozen QBs going off the board with the first 12 picks.

This draft ties the record from the famed 1983 draft when a record six quarterbacks were taken in the first round, inclduing Hall of Famers John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. But it took until pick No. 27 for Marino to go off the board that year.

It went much faster this time around with Nix following Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy.

Bo Nix goes No. 12 to Denver

The Broncos took the Oregon standout to mark the first time six quarterbacks were selected among the first 12 picks in an NFL draft.

OT Fashanu goes No. 11 to the Jets

New York drafted Olu Fashanu with the No. 11 overall pick, banking on the Penn State offensive tackle to help keep quarterback Aaron Rodgers healthy.

The Jets traded down one slot with the Minnesota Vikings.

That's a record 5 QBs in the first 10 picks

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels celebrates beside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Washington Commanders with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The run on quarterbacks didn't slow down, with Minnesota trading up to take J.J. McCarthy 10th overall to set a record for the fewest picks for five quarterbacks.

McCarthy follows Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Michael Penix Jr., marking the first time ever that five QBs went in the top 10.

The previous high for the fifth quarterback to be drafted came in 1999 when Chicago took Cade McNown 12th. Tim Couch, Donovan McNabb and Akili Smith went with the top three picks that year and Daunte Culpepper was drafted 11th.

Vikings trade up and select QB J.J. McCarthy at No. 10

Minnesota moved up one spot to make sure they could take McCarthy.

Minnesota sent a fourth- and fifth-round pick to the New York Jets to prevent another team from taking the Michigan quarterback and the Vikings also acquired a sixth-round selection in the first trade of the night.

Latham gives Alabama yet another first-round pick

Tackle JC Latham going No. 7 to Tennessee extended Alabama's record streak to 16 straight years with a first-round draft pick.

Vikings trade up to No. 10

Minnesota traded up with the Jets to the No. 10 overall pick.

Bears select WR Rome Odunze at No. 9

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze puts on a hat after being chosen by the Chicago Bears with the ninth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Chicago chose to give Caleb Williams a young, go-to receiver by drafting Washington speedster Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick overall.

QBs are being drafted at a record pace

Quarterbacks went off the board at a record pace thanks to the first big surprise of the draft.

After Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye went 1-2-3, Atlanta pulled off a shocker, taking Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall despite signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency.

The previous record came in 2018 when Baker Mayfield went first, Sam Darnold third, Josh Allen seventh and Josh Rosen 10th.