What to know ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft

The GIST: Hugfest, incoming — the 2024 NFL Draft begins from Detroit, Michigan, tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET, with a particularly stacked draft class waiting to hear their names called. The pick is (almost) in.

How it works: Launched in 1936, the draft has evolved from a one-day event held in hotel meeting rooms to a highly anticipated three-day party. The selection order is determined by previous season performance, with the team with the worst record picking first…barring any trades.

• Speaking of, the Chicago Bears acquired the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft via a blockbuster 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers, so this year’s first three selections will be made by the Bears, the Washington Commanders, and the New England Patriots.

• From there, the picks keep comin’ and they don’t stop comin’ for seven rounds (with rounds two and three on Friday and rounds four through seven on Saturday), ending with this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, the No. 257 selection. A true honor.

Names to know: Da Bears have made their intentions clear and are expected to select USC quarterback (QB) Caleb Williams with the top pick. Things are less certain from there, but QBs will likely come off the board early — Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU, UNC’s Drake Maye, and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy highlight a loaded class of signal callers.

• As for non-QBs, the wide receiver pool is also especially deep, with Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers, and Washington’s Rome Odunze expected to go in the top 10. Queue the chime.