The NFL Draft is still about six weeks away but as we head towards draft season our preconceived notions might be changing. It was almost a foregone conclusion before the college football season began that Caleb Williams, USC's star QB, would be chosen #1 overall in the draft in April. As the season progressed Caleb's stock seemed to only soar. With each passing touchdown and each yard he threw for he inched closer to not only a Heisman Trophy but also the #1 spot. William though never did get the Heisman, and now the top spot in the draft might be in jeopardy. Williams' odds to be the top pick sat at -310 on Oct. 23, then -500 at the end of the calendar year and were at -900 early in February, but they were knocked down to -600 in some books over the weekend. Suddenly there are "red flags" for the superstar.
We have watched super star quarterbacks push to not be drafted by certain teams. Eli Manning and John Elway were pretty vocal about their landing spots and both got what they wanted. The latest entry is Caleb Williams. He had people in his camp make it known that he does not want to go to Chicago, before backing off that statement weeks later. This week he decided to not allow medical examinations with teams at the NFL Combine and did not sign off on having his medical records shared with all teams. This is the first player ever at the combine to decline an examination. This sort of behavior, combined with his other odd behavior, could be sending up red flags for the Bears.
Williams already has a history of questionable things from your new face of the franchise. Teams want poise and maturity, Caleb gave them obsentities written on his fingernails. He has a history of not giving interviews after losses, not shaking hands after games, and even called fans sheep, while referring to himself as a lion. Williams openly struggled with his team's 7-5 record and no playoff hopes and said it took a mental, physical, and spiritual toll on him. Can an NFL team that is picking early in the draft expect the same toll if he doesn't win in the NFL? These are dangerous questions.
There are also questions from a pure X's and O's standpoint. Williams struggled with completion percentages when he was throwing deeper passes, a trait most QB's have, but that you don't want from a #1 pick. He also fumbled the ball 32 times and his TD's dropped rapidly this season. Many professionals that have played the position have watched film and said Williams tries to get out of the called play too often and too quick, and he has a very slow throw reaction time as well.
The plus side of Caleb is well documented. He is an elite arm talent, looks like a young Patrick Mahomes at times on film and some have even said he's the best QB prospect they have ever seen. With that said he is not without his flaws. Williams likely still goes #1 overall, and more than likely to the Bears, but there are enough red flags to understand the line falling slightly this week; let’s keep an eye on things and see if it drops anymore before the draft.