A record six quarterbacks were selected in the top 12 picks in 2024.Take it from this part-time fortune teller: One or a few of them could be very good this season. One or a few of them could fall on their face or watch from the sideline.Wait, you wanted specifics? Um, sure thing, you got it.But remember that we said *part-time* fortune teller. So when you read these rankings of how the first-round rookies will fare this season, from No. 1 to No. 6, know that we could turn out wrong. We won’t know for sure until the real answers reveal themselves during the season on any given Sunday (or Monday) (or Thursday) (or Friday) (or Saturday) (OK, let’s get on to the list).1. Caleb Williams, BearsThe Bears have a long history of drafting first-round quarterbacks who failed to meet expectations. Justin Fields had his moments, but the Bears shipped him to the Pittsburgh Steelers for pennies on the dollar. Chicago grabbed Mitch Trubisky at No. 2 overall in 2017 when Patrick Mahomes remained on the board until No. 10 (whoops). Rex Grossman, Cade McNown, the list goes on.This time could be different. Williams has massive ability, and the Bears actually have a solid infrastructure in place for a rookie quarterback this time around. The Bears’ receiving corps includes D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and fellow first-round pick Rome Odunze. Add in tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett, running backs D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert, and an improved offensive line, and Williams is stepping into a nice situation. Could he finally be the first-rounder who lives up to the hype in Chicago?2. J.J. McCarthy, VikingsMcCarthy does not have the biggest arm in this draft class. He is not the most dominant athlete. He is not even considered to be the most accurate passer.So why is he No. 2 on this list?McCarthy is solid in every category, and he is entering a near-perfect situation in Minnesota. For one, he will have one of the best wideouts in the NFL in Justin Jefferson. He will have a dynamic second-year receiver in Jordan Addison, a red-zone threat in tight end T.J. Hockenson, a proven veteran in the backfield in Aaron Jones and a gritty offensive line led by Christian Darrisaw.McCarthy does not have to light the league on fire. He just has to find open receivers and hit his targets. He can do that.3. Jayden Daniels, CommandersThe reigning Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU steps into an intriguing situation. He will work closely with new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who knows a thing or two about tailoring game plans to highly skilled quarterbacks (see: Mahomes at Texas Tech and Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals). Washington also features multiple playmakers such as Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Austin Ekeler.There is a concern with the offensive line, and that could loom large. The Commanders gave up 65 sacks in 2023, which tied for second-most in the league. Washington released left tackle Charles Leno and drafted Brandon Coleman with the No. 76 pick. Fingers crossed. Heck, eyes crossed, if that’s what it takes. 4. Drake Maye, PatriotsIs it possible that Maye wins six championships with the Patriots and becomes the subject of a Netflix roast in 2048 or so? Yeah, sure. Anything is possible.OK, fine, that won’t happen. And it’s not fair to expect Maye to be superhuman. Better to set more attainable goals, like just four or five titles and maybe a Hulu documentary or something.In all seriousness, Maye has the physical tools, and he was touted as a potential top pick for much of his college career at North Carolina. The reason he’s No. 4 on this list has more to do with the Patriots than it has to do with him. Instead of building a great foundation and dropping in a young quarterback, New England took the opposite approach: It got that tantalizing young quarterback, and now it has to spend the next couple seasons finding ways to build up talent around him.5. Bo Nix, BroncosNobody expected Nix to go No. 12 overall to the Broncos. He was considered by many to be more of a second-day prospect who might go in Rounds 2 or 3, or maybe sneak into the end of the first round if a team was eager to take a shot.Instead, his name was called surprisingly early by the Broncos, who had not drafted a quarterback in the first round since Jay Cutler in 2006. He enters a quarterback competition with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, and it’s not certain when he will get the keys to the team. He also joins a team that appears to be in a bit of disarray. There’s a chance that Nix clicks under Sean Payton, but there’s also a chance that this goes sideways.6. Michael Penix Jr., FalconsFirst things first: Penix could be a very good NFL quarterback. On another team, in another situation, he could have had a clear path to success provided that he stayed healthy. But through no fault of his own, he went No. 8 to the Falcons and immediately became part of the most bizarre story of the first round.A month before the Falcons drafted Penix, they signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a deal worth $100 million guaranteed. Cousins is the starter and Penix is the apprentice, says the team. But how is this supposed to work? Penix is already 24. He will be 28 by the end of his rookie deal. It’s a weird dynamic all around, and one that neither Cousins nor Penix asked to experience. Relatedbets on footballbet on the nfl play offsbetting on ncaa footballbetting nbafree mlb betting sitesfree nhl sportsbooksonline ufc betsbetting sites for soccertop online copa america betting sites
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Germany full-back Philipp Lahm has once again endorsed his credentials on the big stage after impressive displays at Euro 2008.ÂÂ
The Bayern Munich star, playing in his third major tournament, has been a rock at the back for the Germans and his flexibility has proved invaluable to Joachim Low.
Lahm burst onto the international scene at Euro 2004 and he was nominated for FIFA World Player of the Year after his success at the 2006 World Cup.ÂÂ
The 24-year-old has been employed at left-back and right-back this time around in Austria and Switzerland and he has used his blistering pace to great effect in support of a midfield which has lacked natural width.ÂÂ
Low does give Lahm licence to get forward and he is a useful attacking outlet fo…
Inter Milan are preparing a bid for Euro 2008 star Yuri Zhirkov, according to the Corriere dello Sport. Zhirkov has been one of the uncovered gems of this summer’s European Championships, helping an outstanding Russia side make it all the way to the semi finals.
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The Corriere says that Inter, who are currently in negotiations to sign Roma’s Amantino Mancini and Porto’s Ricardo Quaresma, are now considering making a move for Zhirkov. However, the Russian w…
Pep Guardiola lavished praise on Phil Foden s performance in Manchester City s 0-0 Champions League draw at Porto.
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Nevertheless, the stalemate saw the Premier League side secure top spot in Group C with a game to spare.
Foden has started four successive Champions League matches, although the England midfielder has been a substitute for City s past five domestic outings.
Speaking to BT Sport, Guardiola seemed to acknowledge the growing clamour for the 20-year-old to become a permanent fixture in his first XI, irrespective of the opponents or competition.
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Ten-man Barcelona battled to a nervy 1-0 win over strugglers Valencia at Camp Nou to move 10 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
Barca suffered a shock loss to Almeria in their last league game, prior to beating Madrid in Thursday s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, and were made to work hard by Valencia.
Raphinha put the hosts ahead early on but Ronald Araujo s 59th-minute red card, shortly after Ferran Torres missed a penalty, set up a nervier-than-expected final half an hour.
Valencia had good chances either side of Araujo s dismissal, but they failed to test Marc-Andre ter Stegen and remain two points from safety in the relegation zone.
R22
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona)
Barca head coach Xavi was in the stands for thi…
Philippe Coutinho has the characteristics to be a success at Barcelona if he moves to the club from Liverpool, according to fellow Brazilian Rivaldo.
Barca are reported to be preparing a fresh bid worth an initial €110million for Coutinho, having failed with a number of offers for the midfielder in August.
Ernesto Valverde indicated on Wednesday he was unsure whether the club would move for Coutinho again, the player having been featured on leaked promotional material from Nike this week to spark fresh intrigue.
Barca icon Rivaldo, who won a brace of league titles in his five-year spell at Camp Nou, has backed Coutinho for a switch to the Catalan giants.
Coutinho is a very good player and if he ends up signing for Barcelona, he will succeed easily, …
Burnley have completed the signing of Tottenham winger Georges-Kevin N Koudou on loan until the end of the season.
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When I spoke with Trippier he told me good things about this club, about the players and everything about Burnley. I am happy to be here, so thank you Trippier, N Koudou told Clarets Player.
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Hull City manager Steve Bruce has blasted DJ Campbell s actions after the striker walked out during transfer talks with his side on Thursday.
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Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti said it would be hard to turn down Real Madrid if the Spanish champions approached him.
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I don t think there is a single coach in the world who could say no to a club like Real Madrid, the former AC Milan coach told TVE.
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Erling Haaland will reportedly cost a suitor €75million next year, while Dele Alli could be set for a Tottenham exit.
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TOP STORY – HAALAND AVAILABLE FOR €75M NEXT YEAR
Haaland can leave Dortmund for €75m next year, according to Esport3.
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