Bears, Vikings get quarterbacks of future
GREEN BAY − The Green Bay Packers’ NFC North Division opponents got things started Thursday at the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit with the Chicago Bears picking USC quarterback Caleb Williams first overall.
Williams likely will be the starter from Day 1, replacing fellow first-round draft pick Justin Fields, who was traded in the offseason to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There’s plenty of hype surrounding Williams and his ability to become the franchise quarterback the Bears have been in search of for decades.
It was the first time Chicago picked first overall since 1947, although the Bears held the No. 1 selection in 2023 before trading it to the Carolina Panthers, who selected Ohio State quarterback Bryce Young.
Young and the Panthers had a notso-good season and earned the top pick, which was then conveyed to Chicago as part of last year’s trade.
Bears select a receiver with second first-round pick
The Bears were up again at ninth overall with their own first-round selection, and they chose Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Odunze will join a receiver room that includes D.J. Moore, who was acquired as part of last year’s trade with the Panthers, and former Los Angeles Chargers standout Keenan Allen.
Allen was sent to Chicago as part of a trade earlier this offseason.
Providing weapons for newly minted franchise quarterback Williams was clearly a priority for the Bears.
Vikings add another first-round rookie quarterback
The Minnesota Vikings originally were scheduled to pick at No. 11 but made a trade with the New York Jets to move up one spot to No. 10 and pick Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Minnesota sent the 11th overall, a fourth-round and fifth-round pick to the Jets in exchange for No. 10 and No. 203.
McCarthy makes it two NFC North teams likely starting rookie quarterbacks as he’ll be expected to replace Kirk Cousins, who signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons.
He’ll enter a good situation, having talented options to throw the ball to in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.
With a series of trades, the Vikings only have a first-rounder and a pair of fifth-round selections in 2025.
Vikings move up to get Alabama pass rusher
After selecting its potential franchise quarterback, Minnesota didn’t stand pat at No. 23, instead moving up to select Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner at 17th overall.
To move up six spots, the Vikings sent the Jacksonville Jaguars their No. 23 in addition to a fifth-rounder this year and third- and fourth-rounders in 2025.
Minnesota is hoping Turner can spark a pass rush after being middle of the pack in sacks with 43.
Lions trade up to select Alabama cornerback
With the NFL social mediaverse abuzz about the Packers potentially selecting Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 25, Detroit moved up from No. 29 to grab him instead.
Arnold will be an immediate starter for the Lions, who desperately needed help shutting down opposing passing games and now have a possible solution.
The move was met with thunderous applause by the fans in attendance in Detroit.