In an expected development, USC QB and 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams has officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. What city will Williams call his home next, and where might he play NFL football? Let’s go through all of the possibilities.
Caleb Williams 2024 NFL Draft Landing Spots
Williams was the face of the 2024 NFL Draft before the cycle even started, and now, he’s officially declared, throwing his hat into the ring to be the potential first overall pick.
On PFN’s board, Williams is essentially QB-1B in the class, in lockstep with North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
Teams may be split on Maye and Williams for QB1, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels may also enter the discussion — but Williams is unequivocally a potential franchise QB.
Even in a worst-case scenario, it’s unlikely that Williams falls outside of the top three. His franchise QB profile, combined with the stockpile of QB-needy teams at the top of the board, limits his range. But there are still a few different outcomes to explore with him.
Chicago Bears
The Bears are in control when it comes to 2024 NFL Draft QBs. The only thing standing in the way of complete clarity is Justin Fields’ status. Fields has flashed promise as Chicago’s QB, but his fifth-year option and extension deadline is coming, and it’s unclear if he’s earned that kind of money.
With a rookie QB, the Bears would reset the clock and stay cost-effective at the position for four more years, and their possession of the No. 1 overall pick allows them to do just that. If they view Williams that highly, they could easily reset with him at the helm.
The Bears recently fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, so the offensive identity with Williams would be somewhat unclear at this point. But Williams would join a team that has an ascending roster, a young and promising defense, and a true WR1 in DJ Moore.
Washington Commanders
If the Bears decide to keep Fields or prefer Maye over Williams at No. 1 overall, the doors will open for Washington to take the USC passer.
The Commanders, having recently hired 49ers Assistant GM Adam Peters as their front office frontman, are at the very start of a massive rebuilding effort, and they have an abundance of resources to put to use: six top-100 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and almost $100 million in cap space.
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The roster still needs plenty of work, but Williams would be inserted into an offense that already has several weapons in place, including Terry McLaurin, 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson, and Brian Robinson Jr. at running back.
In Washington, the biggest question surrounding Williams concerns his offensive coordinator. Eric Bieniemy would be a solid OC to work with, but the team’s eventual head coach may prefer to go a different direction.
New England Patriots
If either Chicago or Washington wants Williams, then he’ll go to Chicago or Washington. But on the off chance he falls beyond those two teams, the Patriots would be the next franchise to take advantage, achieving their first QB stability since Tom Brady.
New England would have the worst early supporting cast for Williams, but Williams would be able to get in on the ground floor with new head coach Jerod Mayo, and he’d have emergent Day 3 pick DeMario Douglas on his side.
In an AFC East with Josh Allen and Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins, Williams’ playmaking ability would be a valuable asset in the quest to reload and compete.
Trade-Up Candidates
95% of outcomes will have Williams joining forces with either the Bears, Commanders, or Patriots — but there is an interesting hypothetical scenario where the Bears keep Fields and open the No. 1 overall pick to trade negotiation.
Even in this scenario, Washington and Chicago still have the most leverage at second and third overall, as Chicago would be able to stay in range for Marvin Harrison Jr. while adding capital.
Nevertheless, if someone else in the top half of Round 1 were to make a blockbuster offer, there’s a chance it could move the needle. It would take an astounding amount of capital and players as well, but it wouldn’t be impossible.
Other potential QB-needy teams in the top half of Round 1, who could enter the Williams sweepstakes if Chicago keeps Fields, include the New York Giants, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Having said all this, this scenario still pits the Commanders and Patriots as the most likely suitors. The odds are very high that Williams will play for one of the top three teams come September of 2024.
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