FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Michael Penix Jr., the biggest surprise of the NFL draft’s first round, received a congratulatory call from Kirk Cousins even as Cousins’ agent was second-guessing the Atlanta Falcons adding depth to their quarterback spot.

Penix described the chat with Cousins as “a very good conversation” but would not say what was discussed.

BROOKS IS FIRST RB DRAFTED AT 46

By The Associated Press

The long wait for the first running back to be drafted is over.

The Carolina Panthers traded up six spots to take Texas running back Jonathan Brooks with the 46th pick Friday night, the second-latest selection for the first running back to go off the board.

PACKERS ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers addressed a position of need and departed from their usual strategy of targeting defensive players in the first round by selecting Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the 25th overall pick in the NFL draft on Thursday.

On Friday, after trading back four spots in the second round, the Packers selected Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper with the No. 45 overall.

With the 58th pick, the Packers selected safety Javon Bullard of Georgia.

FEVER GUARD REVS UP PACERS FANS

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark drew a standing ovation in her first appearance on Gainbridge Fieldhouse’s court since becoming the WNBA’s No. 1 overall draft pick — in an IndyCar replica.

Clark revved up the crowd as part of the Pacers’ pregame routine.

She returned to the court in the second quarter with the rest of her Indiana Fever teammates, tossing T-shirts into the stands.

The Fever open training camp Sunday and Clark’s presence has turned tickets into a hot commodity in Indianapolis — and around the league.

LIONS DRAFT TWO CORNERBACKS

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions made a move to address their secondary, grabbing Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the No. 24 pick in the NFL draft after a trade with Dallas.

The Lions moved up from the No. 29 spot.

Detroit also received a 2025 seventh-round pick, while the Cowboys received Detroit’s first-rounder plus a third-round pick in this year’s draft.

Arnold joins a mix of newcomers and holdovers at the cornerback spot.

Detroit traded for Tampa Bay cornerback Carlton Davis III in March and signed Amik Robertson as a free agent.

The Lions also picked Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. with the 62nd pick in the second round. He was the sixth ranked cornerback overall by ESPN.

Detroit doesn’t pick again until the fifth round.