Pick-six has taken on an entirely different meaning during the first round of the NFL draft at Detroit.
Led by University of Southern California signal-caller Caleb Williams, who went No.1 to Chicago Bears, six of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks for the first time in league history.
Each of the first 14 picks was an offensive player, which doubled the previous record of seven offensive players to start the draft in 2021.
"To be able to be here, it's an honour," said Williams, after the Bears called his name. "I'm very privileged."
A half-dozen franchises hope they found their long-term answer at quarterback.
Louisiana State University's Jayden Daniels went No.2 to Washington Commanders and University of North Carolina's Drake Maye went No.3 to New England Patriots to start the draft.
"Let's go," said Maye. "I'm ready to go compete.
"I'm ready to get to New England. We're going to have a blast."
The early sequence marked the fourth time in NFL history that teams selected quarterbacks with each of the top three picks. It also happened in 1971, 1999 and 2021, the most recent time when Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance went in the top three.
Atlanta Falcons provided the first big surprise of the evening by selecting Washington University quarterback Michael Penix Jr at No.8. The Falcons spent a first-round pick on a quarterback, despite signing veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins in March to a deal worth US$100 million (NZ$168m) guaranteed.
Cousins got a brief heads-up from the Falcons, when they were on the clock, that they planned to select another quarterback in the first round, according to the veteran QB's agent.
Minnesota Vikings traded up one spot in the draft to ensure that they got their target, Michigan University quarterback JJ McCarthy, at No.10 overall. The Vikings sent fourth and fifth-round picks to New York Jets and received a sixth-round pick in return as part of the swap.
At No.12, Denver Broncos picked the sixth quarterback of the evening, University of Oregon's Bo Nix.
Teams also focused on wide receiver and offensive line in a first round that was dominated by offence.
Arizona Cardinals added Ohio State University wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr with the fourth pick. Harrison, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr, has drawn comparisons to legendary Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald Jr.
Harrison says he was confident he would be the first wideout selected.
"I just had trust in my abilities," he said. "I worked so hard to get to this point."
At No.5, Los Angeles Chargers bolstered their offensive line by selecting Notre Dame University left tackle Joe Alt, the first pick under new coach Jim Harbaugh.
New York Giants picked the second wideout of the draft, when they added playmaker Malik Nabers from LSU with the sixth overall choice.
Alabama University offensive lineman JC Latham went to the Tennessee Titans at No.7. Latham, who stands 1.98m and weighs 155kg, embraced NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a giant bear hug and lifted him high off the ground.
"I let him know, man," smiled Latham. "I had to let him know... a lot of excitement."
The Bears used the ninth pick to select Washington University wideout Rome Odunze, who will join Williams as part of a reinvigorated offense. Odunze says he cannot wait to team up with Williams.
"From the glimpses that I've been able to hang out with him, I can tell he has that determination, as do I," he said.
The Jets used the 11th pick to grab Olumuyiwa Fashanu, an offensive lineman from Penn State University.
Las Vegas Raiders added tightend Brock Bowers from Georgia University at No.13. New Orleans Saints grabbed Oregon State University offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga to make it 14 offensive players in a row.
Indianapolis Colts finally put the spotlight on defence at No.15, selecting edge rusher Laiatu Latu from University of California Los Angeles.
The next five picks featured Seattle Seahawks selecting Texas University defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, the Vikings trading up for Alabama University edge rusher Dallas Turner, the Bengals turning to Georgia University offensive lineman Amarius Mims, Los Angeles Rams taking Florida State University edge rusher Jared Verse and Pittsburgh Steelers drafting Washington University offensive lineman Troy Fautanu at No.20.
Three picks later, Jacksonville Jaguars looked to improve their big-play ability by selecting LSU wideout Brian Thomas Jr. Detroit Lions followed moments later by trading up to the No.24 pick, which they used to select Alabama University cornerback Terrion Arnold.
A massive crowd cheered, as Arnold took the microphone.
"Detroit, you all got a star, man," he said. "Hey, I'm home, I'm home."
Defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs grabbed speedy wideout Xavier Worthy from Texas University at No.28. San Francisco 49ers prioritised the same position by taking Florida University wideout Ricky Pearsall at No.31, and Carolina Panthers wrapped up the first round by selecting South Carolina University wide receiver Xavier Legette at No.32.
Reuters
