Dan Orlovsky believes No. 1 pick is still a debate between Caleb Williams, Drake Maye

For the better part of the past calendar year, the presumption has been that USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Dan Orlovsky, however, doesn’t feel it’s 100% certain that Williams will be the first name off the board on April 25, 2024. The ESPN analyst said on “The Dan Patrick Show” this past week that North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye should be in the discussion alongside Williams for the No. 1 pick.

“I’m a huge Drake Maye fan,” Orlovsky said. “I think right now I still take Caleb Williams. That’s without studying these guys in and out over into the spring — right now I’d take Caleb. I’ve called a couple of Drake Maye’s games — I will not be alone in thinking he is going to be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick, I promise you that. He’s got a lot of Big Ben [Roethlisberger] in his game. Big, athletic, powerful dude, still sloppy mechanically a little bit but great vision, great feel, throws a beautiful different level layered football. He’s awesome.

“I think he’s a superstar in the NFL.”

Caleb Williams, Drake Maye each having standout seasons

In just about any other Draft, Maye would be the slam dunk No. 1 pick. But when it comes to the 2024 edition of the Draft, Maye finds himself tucked behind Williams. That is, for now, as the Tar Heels star continues to impress this season. In six games, he’s thrown for 1,902 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions on 68.9% passing, to go along with four rushing scores.

The 21-year-old has guided North Carolina to a perfect 6-0 record and a No. 12 ranking in the AP Poll. After picking up a 41-31 victory over No. 25 Miami Saturday, the Tar Heels could find themselves in the top-10 in this week’s rankings.

Williams, meanwhile, looked primed to win his second consecutive Heisman Trophy entering Saturday. Emphasis on “entering,” as Williams and No. 10 USC stumbled against No. 21 Notre Dame in South Bend. The Fighting Irish defeated the Trojans, 48-20, and Williams threw three interceptions in a single game for the first time in his collegiate career.

Still, Williams remains a generational prospect in the eyes of many around the league and is having a stellar season. In seven games, he has thrown for 2,021 yards with 23 touchdowns and four interceptions on 70.0% passing. He’s added another six scores on the ground.