Now that the 2024 NFL Draft is over The Inscriber Magazine is going to take a look at what were the biggest surprises.
Starting off is the city of Detroit, which set an attendance record for the three-day draft event with an announced 775,000 by Michigan’s governor Gretchen Whitmer. Also, leading the way in total selections, the University of Michigan with 13.
In round one with the eighth overall selection the Atlanta Falcons took quarterback Michael Penix Jr out of the University of Washington. So what made the selection surprising and had the attention of those around the NFL? Kirk Cousins getting signed to a four-year $180 million deal in March.
The Falcons now do not have to rush the development of Penix Jr who was stellar in his two seasons at Washington and was the runner-up for the 2023 Heisman Award.
When it came to the San Francsico 49ers there were plenty of rumors circulating around wide receivers including the possibility of trading Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Of course that did not happen, so it seemed like a possibility of an offensive tackle or cornerback was the best option with the 31st pick.
General Manager John Lynch elected to still draft a wide receiver, which was Ricky Pearsall out of the University of Florida. While being a reach there, he fills a need and knows how to get open against zone coverages.
University of Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean seemed like a lock as a first-round pick with the possibility of going top 15. Yet he did not get taken until the Philadelphia Eagles acquired the 40th overall pick.
Payton Wilson, linebacker out of North Carolina State was also a first-round talent that surprisingly fell. The Pittsburgh Steelers took him in the third-round with the 98th pick. It has been reported the reason he slid was due to not having an ACL in one of his knees.
With that being said he was the Bednarik and Butkus Award winner in 2023. Wilson recorded 138 tackles with 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, six passes defended, recovered two fumbles, and forced a fumble.
Wide receiver Troy Franklin out of the University of Oregon did not get taken until the four-round, 102nd overall after the Denver Broncos acquired the selection. In 2023 he did have some issues with drops and will need to add some muscle to his 176 pound frame.
After drafting Drake Maye with the third overall pick the New England Patriots in the sixth-round with the 193rd overall pick took quarterback Joe Milton III out of the University of Tennessee. Though many see him changing positions and possibly becoming a tight end, he certainly has the ability to compete for the no.2 quarterback spot on the roster.
Even more surprising were these two names that went undrafted. Defensive tackle Leonard Taylor out Miami and Cody Schrader running back out of the University of Missouri.