Plenty of eyes are on Caleb Williams as the 2024 NFL Draft inches closer. The USC quarterback is widely considered to be the first name off the board in this year’s pool of rookie talent due to his incredible skill set and unique physical tools.
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a perfect prospect. Williams also has his own set of weaknesses that could affect his effectiveness in the pros. While his issues won’t push away any team that’s interested in acquiring his draft rights, his availability could become the one thing that could make or break his career.
His health has been one of the primary concerns for teams interested in getting him as the centerpiece for their rebuild, HIs most recent decision related to the NFL Draft Combine should also give the Chicago Bears and any other NFL team interested in him something to think about as well.
Caleb Williams skips 2024 NFL Draft Combine’s medical test
The Spun’s Hunter Hodies published the news about the USC QB’s decision to deny the NFL’s medical experts to have a more accurate assessment of Williams’ body:
Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams is not participating in medical exams at the NFL Combine.
He’s still doing drills and is meeting with teams but is not participating in medical exams with teams, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
Jones is also reporting that Williams is the first NFL Combine invitee to attend the event but decline to do medical exams.
Williams’ decision to skip the Combine’s medical could mean several things. He could be nursing a current injury and doesn’t want it to affect his draft stock. It could also be a major red flag to NFL teams about the overall condition of his body.
Since he decided to skip on the medical, teams would have to take a guess on his overall condition through the drills he chooses to participate in as well as his Pro Day.
Why is Caleb Williams’ condition problematic for interested teams in the NFL Draft?
If Williams is hiding his medical history before the draft because he’s struggling with fitness, it would only accentuate the weaknesses that he has when he gets to the pros.
PFF’s Nick Ackridge identified his biggest weaknesses as his tendency to try asnd force his way to making big plays whenever the play collapses. This tendency bred bad habits that could result in injuries with the speed and power the best NFL pass rushers have.
If the Bears or any other NFL team decides to take a chance on him with the first pick, they will have to deal with the uncertainty surrounding his health. Hopefully, his decision to skip the medical isn’t a bad omen for things to come in his pro career.
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