The 2024 NFL Draft made history with an unprecedented run of offensive players being selected in the first round, leaving defensive stars waiting their turn. UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu broke the streak as the first defensive player taken, going to the Indianapolis Colts with the 15th overall pick.
This draft shattered the previous record for the latest a defensive player had been selected, which was eighth overall in 2021. The trend of offensive dominance was evident throughout the draft, with a plethora of top quarterbacks and offensive players being chosen early on.
Despite the talent available on the defensive side, teams seemed to prioritize offensive firepower in this draft. Players like Alabama’s Dallas Turner, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean were among the defensive standouts in the draft class, but they had to wait for their names to be called.
The Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears were both expected to address defensive needs with their early picks, but they opted for offensive players instead. The Colts saw an opportunity to bolster their defense with Latu, who had an impressive 2023 season.
The 2024 NFL Draft highlighted the evolving landscape of college football, where offense seems to reign supreme. Whether this draft was an anomaly or a sign of things to come remains to be seen, but one thing is clear – defensive players had to wait their turn in a draft dominated by offensive talent.