NFL draft 2024 Every QB picked in the first round - ESPN

The first round of the draft Thursday night was dominated by quarterbacks with six going in the first round. That's the most in any round of the common draft era (since 1967).

While Caleb Williams going No. 1 to the Chicago Bears was no surprise, there was some suspense about who would go second to the Washington Commanders.

Washington chose LSU's Jayden Daniels while North Carolina's Drake Maye went third to the New England Patriots.

Once the Atlanta Falcons took Michael Penix, Jr. at No. 8, it became the first time in the common draft era that four quarterbacks were selected in the first eight overall picks.

Recent history suggests those QBs will not be brought along gradually. Of the 23 quarterbacks drafted in the top five in the previous 15 years, 17 of them started in Week 1, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Nineteen of them started at least 10 games in their rookie seasons.

Here is a look at the quarterbacks who were picked in the first round, what their rookie projections are and which pro QB is the best comparison. This file will be updated throughout the night.

Clay's 2024 projections: 3,388 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 13 interceptions, 269 rushing yards, 3 rushing TDs.

Intel: Williams' elite improvisational talent, arm strength and ability to pick defenses apart from within the pocket set him apart from the rest of the 2024 class. He has the foot speed to evade pass-rushers in tight spaces and the strength to break tackles. His ability to extend plays, adjust his arm angle and make accurate off-platform throws puts great stress on defenses on each snap. Williams is also a patient pocket passer who gets through his progressions given time and space. He presses and tries to make too much happen on some