NFL Draft Round 1 Recap w/Jeff Reinebold: Vikings get their man, Michael Penix to the Falcons & more

Pro Football Ireland

The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books - Michael and Jeff look back on the first round and react to the big picks!

The 2024 NFL Draft's opening round marked a historic moment with its unprecedented focus on offensive talent. With a staggering 23 offensive players selected, including a remarkable streak of 14 consecutive picks to kick off the draft, this year's event set a new record for offensive dominance.

While the first overall pick of Caleb Williams by the Chicago Bears was largely anticipated, the Atlanta Falcons stirred intrigue with their selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at the tail end of the top 10, marking one of the draft's most unexpected moves. This choice raised eyebrows, particularly given the Falcons' earlier signing of Kirk Cousins to a substantial four-year, $180 million contract. Additionally, quarterbacks made a significant impact, matching the historic 1983 class with six first-round selections, all within the top 12, concluding with Bo Nix heading to Denver as the 12th pick. As the excitement of the first round subsides, anticipation builds for the forthcoming rounds on Friday, where rounds two and three of the NFL Draft await.

We return live on Sunday at 9PM.

Our NFL Draft coverage is presented by the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Join us in August as Georgia Tech face off against FSU at the Aviva Stadium - limited tickets available here.