2024 NFL Draft Highlights: Top Picks And Must-See Surprises From The Night

The 2024 NFL Draft was packed with memorable moments, not just for the draftees but for the fans as well.

Held at the Hart Plaza in Campus Martius Park in Detroit on Thursday, the night was packed with fun and excitement after a crowd of about 300,000 took the trip downtown to enjoy the festivities and see who their favorite teams would be signing next.

From red carpet fashion to celebrity surprises to draft shockers, here are the best highlights of the 2024 NFL Draft.

1. Eminem kicks off the festivities

Detroit's very own, Eminem, graced the stage on day 1 of the NFL Draft.

While he didn't perform, the 51-year-old rapper was featured in the pre-recorded opening video together with former Detroit Lions players, including Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aiden Hutchinson and Jared Goff.

"You know you are still going to get booed right," Eminem told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the video. The two then walked onto the live stage to Eminem's 2010 hit "Not Afraid."

The crowd erupted as the Grammy-winning artist pumped up the crowd.

2. Chicago Bears select Caleb Williams

There were no surprises when it came to the 2024's top pick. The Bears selected Caleb Williams, a quarterback from the University of Southern California.

The 22-year-old, who played for two seasons with USC after transferring from the University of Oklahoma, won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 and was named the AP College Football Player of the Year and the Sporting News College Football Player of the Year the same year.

Caleb Williams' contract is valued at $39,487,938 over four years, Spotrac reported.

3. Plenty of drip on the red carpet

Draft night wasn't just about football. There was a lot of style dripping on the red carpet too.

There was nothing too outrageous though, as the prospects kept it sleek and classic in their coats, ties and bowties.

Aside from being the draft's top pick, Williams was also our top pick for the best look of the night.

RELATED: NFL Draft 2024 Red Carpet Looks: 8 Best Dressed Prospects

4. Draft shocker as Falcons pick Michael Penix Jr.

The biggest NFL Draft shocker of the night was when the Atlanta Falcons picked Penix Jr. as the 8th overall pick just a month after signing QB Kirk Cousins for $180 million.

The lefty quarterback played for the University of Washington after spending several seasons at Indiana University and suffering multiple injuries.

The move reportedly blindsided Cousins. However, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot clarified that Cousins will remain the team's starting QB and Penix Jr. is a decision made for the future of the team.

"Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We're very excited about Kirk, we're very excited about our team," Fontenot told reporters during a press conference, per New York Post.

"Michael Penix is, we're talking about the future. The draft is - you look at the future and you look at [the] big picture."

5. A night for offense

Some interesting records were tied for the night after 23 offensive players were picked in the first round, breaking the record of 19 players set in 2009, 2004 and 1968.

In fact, the first 14 picks were all offensive players and six of the top 12 picks were quarterbacks, another record-tying feat.