The 2024 NFL Draft is one of the most highly-anticipated in years, with marquee prospects and outstanding talent at key positions drawing added attention. It could also result in multiple NFL Draft records being broken in 2024.
This is a special year on the offensive side of the ball, with NFL teams in love with the depth and quality of talent at quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle this year. Because of the unusual number of first-round talents at those spots and circumstances making those needs for a lot of teams, history will likely be made on April 25.
Related: 2024 NFL mock draft
Here are a few NFL Draft records that could be broken or matched in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
Most quarterbacks drafted in Round 1
The 2024 NFL Draft class is loaded at quarterback, which could result in teams doing something that hasn’t been seen since. The record for the most quarterbacks drafted in the first round is six, which happened in the 1983 NFL Draft. In the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, three Hall of Famers (John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino) were first-round picks.
Related: Historic number of QBs reportedly could be drafted in first round
While it’s highly improbable the 2024 class will produce three Hall of Famers, we could still see an NFL Draft record tied. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. are all practical locks to be first-round picks. If a team decides to take Bo Nix, it will be only the second time in NFL history that six quarterbacks were picked in Round 1.
Quarterbacks taken with top four picks for first time in NFL history
It’s widely expected that quarterbacks will be taken with the first three picks in the NFL Draft 2024, but that has happened before. In fact, three quarterbacks were taken with the first three picks in the NFL Draft on three occasions. However, this year could be a record-setter for the NFL.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft quarterback rankings
Assuming the Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots open the 2024 NFL Draft by taking three consecutive quarterbacks, it then all comes down to the Arizona Cardinals. If the Cardinals trade down with a team like the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Denver Broncos or Las Vegas Raiders, this will be the first time in NFL history that quarterbacks were the first four picks in the NFL Draft.
Most offensive players drafted in the first round of NFL Draft
Not only is the 2024 draft class strong at quarterback, it’s also loaded at wide receiver and along the offensive line. With teams placing an emphasis on pass-catchers and winning in the trenches, one of the likeliest NFL Draft records we’ll see broken on April 25 is the most offensive players drafted in the first round.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings
The record for most offensive players drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft is 19. We’ll practically guarantee that record is shattered in the 2024 NFL Draft, with at least 20 offensive players likely to be first-round picks and potentially even 22 or 23 taken in Round 1.
Most players drafted from one school in one year
The Georgia Bulldogs have the record for the most players drafted from one school in a year, with 15 Georgia players chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft. While it’s not a guarantee this will be one of the NFL Draft records broken in 2024, there’s a strong likelihood of it happening.
Most NFL Draft picks by college in one year
- Georgia Bulldogs (2022) – 15 (5 first-rounders)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (2004) – 14 (3 first-rounders)
- LSU Tigers (2020) – 14 (5 first-rounders)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (2018) – 12 – (4 first-rounders)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (2016) – 12 – (5 first-rounders)
Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines set a record with 18 players sent to the NFL Combine, two more than the previous records. While Michigan’s NFL Draft prospects likely won’t come close to setting the first-round record, NFL teams love how ready Wolverines’ players are for the next level. We’d bet at least 16 Michigan players are selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Also Read: Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings 2024
Most wide receivers drafted in the first round of NFL Draft
We consider this the biggest long shot of NFL Draft records that could be broken on April 25. As previously mentioned, the crop of talent at wide receiver this year is historically deep. There is a very real possibility of seeing six wide receivers chosen in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. If that happens
Related: 2024 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings
As of now, there have been seven times (2020, 2015, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2001 and 1988) when six wide receivers were drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. However, the record for the most wide receivers drafted in the first round is seven, which occurred in the 2004 NFL Draft featuring Larry Fitzgerald,
We can guarantee that at least five wide receivers will be drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Once Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr. and Adonai Mitchell are off the board, that’s where things get interesting. The names to watch are Oregon’s Troy Franklin, Georgia’s Ladd McConkey, Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk, Texas’ Xavier Worthy and Florida State’s Keon Coleman. It seems unlikely seven are pick, but six is possible.
