Is Caleb Not the Answer?
The obvious choice for the Bears at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft is Caleb Williams, isn’t it? ESPN’s Louis Riddick says otherwise in an article from The Spun. “For me, I’m going, Caleb (Williams) may be that guy who truly gets talked about like Patrick (Mahomes) if he’s able to refine a bunch of things. Jayden’s that guy who’s kinda like C.J. (Stroud) who’s probably going to come into the NFL right away and it’s out the gate man. It’s out the gate and you’re going why are we even having the discussion? That’s why I would take him No. 1,” Riddick went on emphatically on ESPN’s First Take.
Jayden Daniels received his fair share of backlash after transferring from Arizona State to the SEC powerhouse LSU Tigers. His first season in Baton Rouge wasn’t anything out of this world, but his 2024 campaign of 40 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing, with just 4 interceptions combined with over 3,800 yards and a Heisman Trophy just might skyrocket the California kid up the draft boards. Will it be enough to surpass all world prospect Caleb Williams? I would say unlikely, but crazier things have happened on draft night in the NFL.
Draft Day Disasters
Aaron Rodgers was among those expected to go quite early in the 2005 NFL Draft, but then pick by pick he fell all the way to the 24th pick made by the Green Bay Packers. The Minnesota Vikings missed their first round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft and essentially dropped two slots in the draft by not getting their pick in on time. Although it would be hard for the Bears to run into this mishap while selecting first overall, nothing can be discounted considering the history of the quarterback position in Chicago.
There have even been some rumblings that perhaps Caleb Williams does not want to play in Chicago for the Bears. This wouldn’t be the first time a top QB prospect took this route. John Elway refused to play for the then Baltimore Colts, after saying he would quit football and play professional baseball instead. Luckily for Elway, the Denver Broncos were able to work out a deal and that seemingly worked out for the two parties. The Bears obviously would prefer Caleb to want to succeed in Chicago and avoid a dramatic scenario all together.
Bears Taking Daniels?
Drafting Jayden Daniels would certainly rid the Bears of this possible disaster scenario if Williams were to choose this route of refusing to play. However, it almost undoubtedly would result in a media firestorm since the majority of eyes on the draft see Caleb Williams at a tier above the rest.
Drake Maye was the second horse in the race for quite some time it seemed, with comparisons to the build and play style of Justin Herbert. But now as the draft inches closer it would seem that Daniels has not just closed the gap, but even surpassed Maye, Bo Nix, and those alike on many draft boards.
What the Bears could get in return for a trade for the number one overall pick could be of enormous magnitude, but even then it may not be enough to bring them away from Caleb Williams. Jayden Daniels could end up being the best QB of the class, nobody knows for sure. But if the decision to draft Daniels was made, then perhaps moving down to get him in addition to picks and players might be smarter than simply taking him first overall and hoping for the best.
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1 Comment
He’s going to be a bust, they need Flacco.