While the jaws of many fans dropped when the Atlanta Falcons picked Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. thought there was a bigger surprise from the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Kiper said on SportsCenter the more unexpected turn for him was the New York Giants passing on Michigan's J.J. McCarthy to take LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers. He told ESPN colleague Scott Van Pelt he "had heard for the last couple of months the Giants were looking at a quarterback."
Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen both said this offseason they were planning for Daniel Jones to be the starter in 2024 once he fully recovers from his torn ACL.