2024 NFL Draft Stage: First Look
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The biggest moment of the NFL offseason is finally here: the NFL Draft. It’s a welcome bit of football fun amid the drought that fans face starting from the end of February’s Super Bowl to the pre-season in August. The 2024 NFL Draft stage was put together last February, and it will be at the center of all the action. Here’s an early look at that stage.
2024 NFL Draft Stage
The 2024 NFL Draft takes place in Detroit, Michigan, from April 25 through 27, and it’s free to attend. Earlier this year, the NFL shared a first look at the NFL Draft stage in the Motor City. Let me tell you, it’s glorious.
The NFL Draft will take place in downtown Detroit around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, which should be a beautiful spot for it. For those attending, officials have also announced the NFL Draft Experience. That’s the NFL’s interactive football theme park, which will be open for all three days of the draft. Attendees will be able to check out interactive exhibits and autograph sessions and take pictures with the famed Vince Lombardi Trophy. What’s really cool is that the community events surrounding the draft in Detroit will be free to the public. People are really going to back that place.
“The 2024 NFL Draft will highlight all that makes Detroit and Southeast Michigan a great place to live, work, invest, and visit,” Visit Detroit President/CEO and draft co-chair Claude Molinari said in a statement. “Visit Detroit is proud to partner with Detroit Metropolitan Airport, local hotels, restaurants, and shops to create a best-in-class hospitality experience for visitors from touchdown to takeoff.”
Check out the first look photos of the NFL Draft in Detroit below. They look super cool and definitely have me grateful to live by all the action.
7 Super Early Super Bowl Contenders for Next Season
I know it’s probably early to talk about the Super Bowl for next season, but really, is it? I actually don’t think it’s ever too early to start speculating and wishing for your team to make it all the way next year. This year was so very close for my team, the Detroit Lions. But, no cigar. So, maybe next year will be our year. But, aside from the Lions, there are other teams that are on target to be major contenders next season. Some of them didn’t even make the playoffs this year. So, what are some early Super Bowl contenders for next season?
Before we get into those contenders, let’s look at why next season is already shaping up to be so exciting. For me, the main reason is because a whopping seven teams have new head coaches. That’s really going to change the makeup of those teams. The Atlanta Falcons have brought on Raheem Morris. The Carolina Panthers have Dave Canales. The Las Vegas Raiders have knabbed Antonio Pierce. The Los Angeles Chargers have Jim Harbaugh. The New England Patriots have promoted Jerod Mayo. The Seattle Seahawks have brought on Mike Macdonald. The Tennessee Titans have hired Brian Callahan. Finally, The Washington Commanders have hired Dan Quinn.
Of those new coaches, the most interesting to me is Harbaugh for the Chargers. For Harbaugh, this is his final shot at the Vince Lombardi trophy. He just won a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines, and now, he wants a Super Bowl victory. He has a chance with the Chargers’ stellar quarterback Justin Herbert. But, it will take time, in my opinion. I mean, it could take time with any of these teams with new coaches. That said, the Houston Texans had a rookie coach this year in DeMeco Ryans, and they almost went all the way, so all things are possible.
Let’s get into seven early Super Bowl contenders for next season with my commentary.
Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.
