Caleb Williams holding firm at No. 1 in latest NFL mock drafts
USC quarterback Caleb Williams has been discussed as the likely first-overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft for more than a year as the Heisman Trophy winner put together an outstanding three-year college career at Oklahoma and with the Trojans.
There will be dozens of mock drafts posted between now and the night of the first round on April 25 in Detroit. Williams is going to be listed toward the top in all of them. Despite something of a dip in his numbers and performance in 2023 plus the rise of other college quarterbacks, Williams remains the No. 1 selection in three prominent mock drafts posted Wednesday.
ESPN
ESPN’s Jordan Reid has Williams going to Chicago with the No. 1 selection. His rationale:
“After a disappointing finish to the season, the Justin Fields era in Chicago might officially come to a close this offseason. The Bears have to decide whether they want to trade Fields or the No. 1 pick, but in the end, passing on a franchise QB for a second consecutive year — especially when Fields hasn’t done enough to cement his spot — wouldn’t be logical. General manager Ryan Poles could draft a signal-caller he can tie to his tenure.
Williams remains my QB1 and No. 2 overall prospect, with terrific arm talent, accuracy and creativity under center. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner threw 72 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions over the past two seasons.”
CBS Sports
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports said, “The Bears don’t make things difficult. They pick Williams to get all of his arm talent, mobility, and creativity as a playmaker.”
PFF
PFF also has Williams slotted to the Bears at No. 1 overall.
“Quarterback Justin Fields is playing some of the best ball of his NFL career. Perhaps that sways the Bears to trade the top pick for the second year in a row and acquire even more premium selections. Ultimately, I think they will reset their rookie quarterback contract window and trade Fields for a nice return. This draft process will be fascinating when it comes to the quarterback debate, but I still say Williams is the top prospect.”
That PFF mock drafts has offensive players being selected with the first 11 picks of the draft, including quarterbacks at Nos. 1, 2, 3, 8 and 11.
Williams as the potential No. 1
If selected No. 1 overall, Williams would be the sixth USC Trojan to be taken in that spot. That would break a tie with Georgia, Notre Dame and Oklahoma for the most all time.
USC’s No. 1 overall selections are offensive lineman Ron Yary in 1968, running back O.J. Simpson in 1969, running back Ricky Bell in 1977, wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson in 1996 and quarterback Carson Palmer in 2003.
Perhaps surprisingly, the six No. 1 overall selections would be as many as Alabama, Michigan and Miami, combined. Of the six programs with at least four No. 1 overall selections (Auburn, Stanford, plus the three noted above), only Notre Dame has a longer drought than USC. The last first-overall selection from Notre Dame was defensive lineman Walt Patulski in 1972.
