NBC Sports Chicago

The 2024 NFL Draft will be remembered for producing 14 consecutive offensive selections, starting with the Chicago Bears taking quarterback Caleb Williams as the first overall pick. Amazingly, the first defensive prospect chosen was the player with the most injury-laden scrutiny in the draft, edge rusher Laiatu Latu. Another memorable moment was the Falcons’ head-scratching selection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., even though Atlanta signed veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins to a four-year 180 million dollar deal. In this “way-too-early-mock-draft,” the selection pendulum swings in the direction of the defense next year. There may be as many as 10 edge rushers taken in the first round of the 2025 Draft, which could be an NFL record.