2024 NFL Draft: Caleb Williams selected first by Chicago Bears as Jayden Daniels goes at No 2

Chicago Bears select Caleb Williams with first pick; LSU’s Jayden Daniels went at No 2 to Washington Commanders; Six of first 12 picks were quarterbacks for first time in league history ; watch round two live on Sky Sports Action from 12am in the early hours of Saturday

The NFL’s worst-kept secret became reality on Thursday as the Chicago Bears selected Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Former USC quarterback Williams had entered the week as the consensus No 1 overall selection as one of the most accomplished college prospects in recent memory.

Chicago underlined their intentions earlier this offseason when they traded away quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in preparation for the arrival of Williams.

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The 22-year-old won a Heisman Trophy during a three-year college career by the end of which he had completed 735 of 1,099 passes for 10,082 yards and 93 touchdowns to just 14 interceptions alongside 289 carries for 960 rushing yards and 27 scores.

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,” Williams said on the NFL Network after the Bears called his name. “I’m very privileged.”