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NFL Draft's first round record-breaking in more ways than one
The 2024 NFL Draft gets underway Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK

The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft was record-breaking in more ways than one

By Gabriel Suk  |  Last updated 4/26/24

It was a record-setting evening in Detroit.  

Going into the first round Thursday night's NFL Draft, an early run on quarterbacks and wide receivers was expected. What wasn't expected was a run on offensive players lasting until the 15th overall pick and one which built enough momentum to shatter the record for the most offensive players taken in the first round.

Here is a list of modern NFL draft records (since 1967) that were tied or broken during the first round of the 2024 draft:

Most offensive players taken to start the first round

Previous record (2021) –Seven offensive players were selected before the Carolina Panthers picked South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn eighth overall.

New 2024 record –14 offensive players went off the board to start Thursday night's draft before the Indianapolis Colts stopped the streak with the selection of UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu with the 15th overall pick.

Most QBs taken in the first round 

Previous record (1983) –Six QB's were selected in the first round: John Elway (first overall to BAL), Todd Blackledge (seventh overall to KC), Jim Kelly (14th overall to BUF), Tony Eason (15th overall to NE), Ken O'Brien (24th overall to NYJ), Dan Marino (27th overall to MIA)

Tied 2024 record – Six QBs were taken Thursday night: Caleb Williams (first overall to CHI), Jayden Daniels (second overall to WAS), Drake Maye (third overall to NE), Michael Penix Jr. (eighth overall to ATL), J.J. McCarthy (10th overall to MIN), Bo Nix (12th overall to DEN) 

Most fans in attendance for the first round 

Previous record (2018) – 200,000+ fans were in attendance for the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft in Nashville.

New 2024 record – 275,000+ fans attended Thursday night's first round in downtown Detroit.

Most offensive players taken in the first round

Previous record (2004, 2009) –19 offensive players were picked in both the 2004 and 2009 first rounds.

New 2024 record – 23 offensive players were selected during the first round of the 2024 draft.

Quarterbacks taken with the first three picks

Previous instances (1971, 1999, 2021) – Jim Plunkett (first overall to BOS), Archie Manning (second overall to NO) and Dan Pastorini (third overall to HOU) in 1971; Tim Couch (first overall to CLE), Donavan McNabb (second overall to PHI) and Akili Smith (third overall to CIN) in 1999; Trevor Lawrence (first overall to JAX), Zach Wilson (second overall to NYJ) and Trey Lance (third overall to SF) in 2021.

Tied 2024 record – Caleb Williams (first overall to CHI), Jayden Daniels (second overall to WAS) and Drake Maye (third overall to NE) in 2024.

More must-reads:

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