Getty Image / Meg Oliphant
USC quarterback Caleb Williams has long been thought of as the best prospect both at his position and overall for the 2024 NFL Draft. But, the tide may be turning on the junior, and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has someone else on top, both overall and at quarterback.
People online have been speculating about this happening on some draft boards for quite some time, but I think Brulger is the first major draft analyst to actually make the leap.
So, where does Caleb Williams end up in his big board? Well, it’s not too big of a drop. He slides in at third, behind the top overall prospect in UNC quarterback Drake Maye and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Obviously, the word of Dane Brugler isn’t gospel, but he is very well respected, and he wouldn’t make a move like this if he wasn’t hearing it from NFL scouts, in my opinion.
It’s not as if Caleb Williams is having a bad season, whatsoever. For the season, Williams has thrown for 2,646 yards and 25 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, and he’s added nine touchdowns on the ground as well.
But, coming off of his Heisman Trophy campaign in 2022, he just hasn’t quite looked as crisp or sharp as he was last year. At times, Williams has looked like he is trying to do too much and is passing up open throws to try to make bigger plays. And, people have mentioned that his attitude and body language haven’t been great this season. And, USC has struggled. Yes, they’re 7-2,
Ultimately, I do still expect Williams to be the top pick in the NFL Draft. He’s simply too talented to be passed up, even if Drake Maye is an excellent prospect in his own right. But, a strong end to the season, starting with this weekend’s matchup with #5 Washington, could re-solidify himself as the consensus top pick.