NFL Draft – Round 1 LIVE: Caleb Williams goes first overall to the Chicago Bears

Our Mock Draft is getting it right, so far, with Daniels at No. 2 and Williams at No. 1. Will it be three in a row with Maye at No. 3? And will he land in Minnesota or New England? C’mon, NFL execs, make us look good!

In reaction to his selection, Daniels said he couldn’t have gotten where he is today without God, and that he feels blessed. The former LSU QB won this year’s Heisman Trophy several other awards after passing for 40 touchdowns and 3,800+ yards while rushing for 10 touchdowns and 1,100+ yards.

He transferred to the Tigers in 2022 after playing for the Arizona State Sun Devils for three seasons.

It’s a done deal, folks! The former USC QB is now heading to Detroit, weeks after Justin Fields left Chicago for the Pittsburgh Steelers. A new man is in Chi-town now… watch out…

Williams, 22, won the Heisman Trophy and several other awards with the USC Trojans in 2022 after throwing for over 4,500 yards with 52 total touchdowns, the latter being a single-season school record.

In 2023, Williams and the Trojans went 7–5 during the regular season, throwing for 3,333 yards with 31 passing and 11 rushing touchdowns.

He declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the season, finishing his college career throwing for nearly 10,000 yards with 120 total touchdowns.

Now, the question is, who will go second? McDaniels, Maye or someone else?

Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been waiting for… will we hear Caleb Williams’ name read out loud first tonight?!

We’re seconds away from finding out…

Caleb Williams, formerly of USC.

The good ol’ tradition of jeering the league commissioner is back, like it is every year, as Eminem gets the crowd going at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza.

The rapper introduced Lions’ QB Jarrod Goff and Detroit legendary running back Barry Sanders on stage to a rowdy applause, as Gooddell attempts to leave his mark on tonight’s audience.

That’s won’t be an easy task by any means…welcome to Detroit, Roger…

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell introduces U.S. rapper Eminem to the crowd in Detroit

Eminem applauds fans welcoming him on stage

The rapper wore a black Lions sweater to show off his hometown pride

If you’re just joining us, welcome! We’re just as hyped as you are to learn who comes out on top… stay tuned, folks…

The top prospects pose on stage prior to the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza.

Angela Davis sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the start of tonight’s event.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has just been introduced to the crowd in Detroit by franchise owner Robert Kraft as he looks forward to his first draft selectee of New England’s new era.

Reports claim that the Patriots are no longer interested in trading their No. 3 pick.

Meanwhile, Belichick is co-hosting tonight’s Draft on ESPN’s Pat McAfee, his first job outside of coaching since 1975!

That’s according to local reporter Mitch Abom, of Say Detroit.

Things are about to get under way here in Motor City, as players have just been called to the stage… stay tuned!

Fans wait outside of the draft theater ahead of the first round.

Announced on the network’s coverage of tonight’s event, Mortensen was regarded as a pioneer working year-round reporting news of the NFL.

He contributed to ESPN’s award-winning football shows such as NFL GameDay, Sunday NFL Countdown, and Monday Night Countdown, as well as the network’s Outside the Line Series. He also frequently appeared on SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, and ESPN.com.

Mortensen survived eight years past his diagnosis of Stage IV Cancer until March of this year, when he died at his son’s home in Irondale, Arizona, at the age of 72.

Mortensen on Sunday NFL Countdown at ESPN’s studio in Bristol, Conn, in 2019.

Mortensen interviewing then-Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning on ESPN in 2005.

After London, Frankfurt, and Mexico City, the league wants more fixtures outside of the U.S., with a source claiming that 16 international games are being planned within the next 10 years.

Where would you like to watch a game? Let us know in the comments!

The Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars

The NFL also relocated the San Francisco 49ers-Arizona Cardinals game in Mexico City in November 2022.

It appears that the NFL commissioner can’t hug players upon their arrival on stage once they’re drafted, as he’s been suffering some back pain lately.

We thought he may have had COVID for a second… that was so 2020…

Rapper Big Sean has drawn a big crowd ahead of tonight’s announcement of the best players in this year’s class. Some fans and locals have turned out in some interesting outfits too…

Just a little less than an hour to go now!

ig Sean performs during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, in Detroit

A general overall view of the Draft Theater at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza

Fans om Detroit Lions gear gather around. One of them is holding a carboard cutout of Lions coach Dan Campbell with a headset that has the word ‘Grit’ on it.

A Chicago Bears fans at Big Sean’s concert venue came in a full bear outfit and with facepaint. Hopefully, for his sake, Caleb Williams is this year’s first overall pick!

Running behind on this year’s top picks? Not sure what to expect tonight? Need a quick recap before the start of tonight’s event? Don’t fret…we got you covered!

Just don’t slam us if you disagree with our predictions…😅

The highly rated youngsters showed off their suits, chains, and girlfriends ahead of tonight’s event, as they dressed up for the cameras.

QBs Maye and McDaniels, along with Harrison and fellow wideouts Rome Odunze, and Laitu Latu, are predicted to be among the top 25 drafted in the first round in Detroit!

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze, center, poses on the red carpet ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit

UNC QB Drake May poses on the red carpet

UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu opens up his blazer

LSU QB Jaydon Daniels wearing pearls on his chain

Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison wearing futuristic-looking shades

The former USC quarterback arrived at Fox Theatre with his mom and girl on each arm as he went for a simple but clean look as he revealed that it’d ‘mean the world’ to him if heard his named called as the #1 pick tonight.

Caleb Williams poses on the red carpet while surrounded by NFL cheerleaders

The former Patriots and Panthers quarterback, who was the first overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, was spotted on the red carpet in a mint green suit and cowboy hat as he provides coverage of tonight’s event for the NFL Network.

The 34-year-old’s certainly dressed for the occasion… will we ever see him play in the NFL again? Probably not… Still nice to see Newton involved in the pro football community nonetheless!

Los Angeles Chargers fan Jorge Santiesteban waits for the start of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner stands on the red carpet ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama prospect JC Latham’s branded football in the green room before the 2024 NFL football draft on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Detroit. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)

Dallas Cowboys fans pose ahead of the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

First order of business: Wags.

We are about two hours from getting under way in Detroit, where quarterbacks are expected to dominate the first several selections.

First among them: USC quarterback and Heisman winner Caleb Williams, who is already a lock to go first overall when the Chicago Bears get the draft underway shortly after 8pm EST.