Quarterbacks Dominate Early Picking at the 2024 NFL Draft
With the 2024 NFL draft a distant memory, we'll look at the top three first-round picks as they've happened, briefly analyzing what the draft business means to the franchises involved while detailing the divisional betting odds of the respective teams.
Besides online betters, NFL supporters can use them to glean whether their NFL franchise has done good business during the offseason and whether to expect a productive year. The NFL draft choices of franchises can affect their season's chances and the betting odds on offer. Let's delve into the draft's first-round early business and what these rookies can add to a team's roster.
Pick #1 - Caleb Williams (USC)
It's hardly surprising that the Chicago Bears used their first pick, acquired through trade business with the Carolina Panthers, to secure the services of quarterback Caleb Williams. Pundits have tipped Williams as a potential future first-pick for years, and The Bears didn't pass on the opportunity to add the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner.
In two years at Southern California, Williams threw 72 touchdowns and passed for 8,170 yards. There was little doubt that The Bears would pick the 6'1, 214 lb quarterback after the Chicago franchise traded former first-choice quarterback Justin Fields to Pittsburgh in March.
The Bears, one of the NFL's founder franchises, may finally boast a quarterback who can throw for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns for the first time in over 100 years.
Early betting odds from the sites on this offshore sportsbook list see the Chicago Bears firm from +440 to +350 for the NFC-North Division win following the Caleb Williams pick. Chicago remains third behind the Detroit Lions (+140) and the Green Bay Packers (+225), but the 2024/25 season's expectations have already improved.
Pick #2 - Jayden Daniels (LSU)
The second draft pick produced the second quarterback. The Washington Commanders, intent on remedying their long-standing problems in the position, hope that picking 2023's Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, will do just that. The 23-year-old former Arizona State QB, who transferred to The Tigers in 2022, was outstanding for his college in 2023.
Daniels will likely start immediately in place of the departed Sam Howell, but he'll have to choose his moments to break the pocket playing in the big league, though, especially as Howell was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL in 2023/24. It'll help Jayden Daniels to have the experienced Kliff Kingsbury as an offensive coordinator and wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin lining up with him.
The Commanders ended at the bottom of the NFC-East Division last season, but odds of +900 see the Washington franchise ranked third behind the Dallas Cowboys (+105) and the Philadelphia Eagles (+140) although the Jayden Daniels pick has shortened these betting odds slightly.
Without shoring up its defense even Daniels' addition is unlikely to impact the Washington Commanders' performance enough.
Pick #3 - Drake Maye (North Carolina)
2024's first-round 3rd choice pick is the earliest that the New England Patriots have picked in the entire thirty-plus years that Robert Kraft has owned the franchise. After picking Mac Jones as the prospective successor to the legendary Tom Brady in 2022 and trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year, it's no surprise The Patriots have picked another quarterback in the 6'4, 21-year-old, Drake Maye.
Maye was the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, but couldn't retain the same form last year, albeit due to not having the same support at the Tar Heels as previously. He still managed almost 8,000 passing yards, and 62 touchdown passes during the past two years, also running for nearly 1,200 yards, which resulted in 16 touchdowns.
Besides quarterback, The Patriots were lacking on the offensive line's left side last season, and nobody stood out in any of the offensive skill positions. These remain issues and, even with Drake Maye, the betting odds reflect this. The Patriot's odds at many betting sites like this to win the AFC-East Division remain constant at a lengthy +2000, despite the addition of Maye.
Perhaps lower-round draft picks may alter the status quo, but as things stand, it'll need something special in New England to challenge the Buffalo Bills (+150), the Miami Dolphins (+180), and the New York Jets (+240) for the AFC-East in a quest to restore some former glory.