Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft is officially here. As Thursday night’s opening round approaches, it can be difficult to sift through the chaos of the many rumors and reports whirling around. So, we’re compiling daily pieces that serve as one-stop shops for all your NFL Draft news and rumors.
This story will be updated throughout the day, so check back for additional notes.
Latest 2024 NFL Draft News and Rumors
Los Angeles Rams Looking To Move Up Into the Top 10
The Rams currently hold the 19th overall pick in the draft and are poised to make a first-round pick for the first time since 2016. Los Angeles seems to be interested in moving up higher in the first round, however, with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reporting Thursday that the franchise is “calling to get into the top 10,” per sources.
It’s unclear exactly which player the Rams might target in the top 10, but two of the team’s biggest immediate needs are at edge rusher and along the defensive line in general.
Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner is one of the top defensive prospects in the draft with many mocks projecting him to go in the top-10 range. UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu is another player who has been mocked in the same range, while Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson might also be a possibility, or even one of the top defensive tackle prospects such as Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton or Texas’ Byron Murphy II.
Although perhaps a longer possibility, the Rams could also look to target a quarterback of the future with Matthew Stafford continuing to age. J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and even Bo Nix might be possibilities in that scenario.
Detroit Lions Among Teams Exploring Trade-Ups
The Lions are among the teams that could look to move up in the first round of the draft, according to NFL insider Albert Breer.
Breer reported Wednesday that Detroit has been exploring a trade up from No. 29 overall in Round 1. The Lions have had multiple first-round picks in each of the last two drafts that have landed them some impact players and, according to Breer, could look to add either an EDGE opposite Aidan Hutchinson or potentially another corner.
Breer notes, however, that Detroit is not the only team that has explored moving up in the draft. He also reported Wednesday that the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and New York Giants have all called on moving up within the top half of the first round.
Time will tell whether one or more of them ultimately makes the move.
Could Top 3 Teams All Stand Pat, Take QBs?
Breer is also increasingly convinced that the draft will feature three quarterbacks coming off the board with the first, second, and third selections by the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders, and New England Patriots, respectively, assuming none of them trade down.
“I’d be pretty surprised at this point if the top three picks don’t go like this—USC’s Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears, LSU’s Jayden Daniels to the Washington Commanders, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye to the New England Patriots,” Breer said.
“I’d be stunned if the Commanders moved off 2, and, at this point, almost as surprised if the Patriots moved off 3, even with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings presumed to be fans of Maye.”
Breer’s current expectation is that the real surprises may not start until below those teams, beginning with the Cardinals’ No. 4 overall selection, though Marvin Harrison Jr. may ultimately end up the pick there.
Patriots reporter Tom E. Curran reported similarly to Breer Thursday, stating that he expects New England to take Drake Maye “unless someone — Vikings or Giants — makes them an offer they just can’t refuse.”
There could certainly be trades up for quarterbacks below the top three, however, with J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and Bo Nix all having been floated as potential first-round picks if the right fit arises.
Courtland Sutton, Brandon Aiyuk Among WRs Who Could Be Dealt
Courtland Sutton skipped out on the start of the Broncos’ voluntary offseason program due to concerns about his contract. Could the wide receiver be pushing for a trade?
“Denver has received several trade calls on him but haven’t planned to trade him,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently wrote. “Pittsburgh could be a team to watch here.”
Fowler also teased the potential for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins to be mid-draft trade targets.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said he keeps “coming back” to two AFC South teams as possible trade destinations for Aiyuk: the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Commanders Announce Darrell Green’s Jersey Retirement
In a pre-draft video wishing this week’s draftees good luck, the Commanders surprised Darrell Green with the announcement that they will be retiring his No. 28 jersey. The NFL Hall of Famer discovered the news when he was reading off lines for a pre-draft video.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Draft Predictions — Bold Statements From PFN Staff
Green racked up 1,202 tackles (390 solo) and 54 interceptions across his star-studded career as one of the top defensive backs in the NFL, and certainly in Washington’s history as well. He also helped lead the franchise to two of its three Super Bowl wins in the 1987 and 1991 seasons.
Green will have his jersey retired at a game this fall, the team announced at the end of the video.
Draft with your friends today! PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator now supports multiple drafters during the same draft! Find out how the PFN Scouting Department ranks this year’s prospects with our 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and follow along throughout the draft with our NFL team needs tracker.
