In front of more than 270,000 fans at the public talent exchange in Detroit, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, as expected, called Williams’ name first on Thursday evening around 8:20 p.m. The quarterback was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the best college player in the USA in 2022 and was active for the USC Trojans.
“If you talk to his former teammates, it’s clear that they don’t just like him, they love him,” said Bears manager Ryan Poles about his new quarterback, who should finally steer the traditional team back on track.
Williams is considered an exceptional talent of the current crop. The Bears hope to regain relevance with the 22-year-old playmaker. The eleven-time NFL champion and Super Bowl winner in 1985 has missed the play-offs in the past three seasons. The Bears’ last win in a knockout round dates back to the 2010/11 season.
Atlanta’s election causes excitement
Even after Williams, as the experts expected, it was the playmakers in particular who went over the counter in droves. The Washington Commanders secured a quarterback in Jayden Daniels (LSU) as did the New England Patriots in Drake Maye (North Carolina). Only the Arizona Cardinals were the fourth club in line to pick a quarterback – but as predicted – with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Junior.
The top twelve included Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) as number eight from the Atlanta Falcons, JJ McCarthy (Michigan), who was secured by the Minnesota Vikings as number ten, and Bo Nix (Oregon), in twelfth from Denver Broncos selected three more playmakers. Only once in NFL history – namely 1983 – had six quarterbacks been drafted in the first round, including NFL legends Dan Marino, John Elway and Jim Kelly.
AP/John Froschauer The Atlanta Falcons’ selection of Penix surprised some experts
The Falcons’ selection of Penix was also the big upset of the first day of the spectacle. The Falcons had only landed veteran Kirk Cousins in mid-March and tied him to a four-year contract for $180 million – $100 million of which was fixed. Now the two-time Super Bowl finalist has already chosen a potential successor for the 35-year-old in Penix.
Raimann team brings in first defender
In general, with 23 offensive players from 32 picks, more than ever before were drafted in the first round. UCLA graduate Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player to come to the Indianapolis Colts, the team of Austrian Bernhard Raimann, with number 15. This marked another record, as never before in the Super Bowl era since the 1960s had the first defensive lineman been selected so late.
In the NFL draft, the 32 teams are allowed to select the best young players. The worst teams from the previous season go first. Teams are also allowed to swap positions in the draft. The Bears secured the first right of access from the Carolina Panthers, who had chosen first last year. The draft will continue over the next two days, with 32 teams selecting in the second through seventh rounds.
