by Kyle Golik
Being a NFL Draft analyst is a unique cottage industry in the football world, many analysts have made a career out of a few really good calls, see Mel Kiper Jr. ‘s sparring with former Indianapolis Colt director of personnel Bill Tobin as the classic example.
Since that iconic moment that transformed not only how the NFL Draft is presented but how analysts seemingly have the “Magic 8-Ball” and know who won or lost every draft.
“Who the hell is Mel Kiper anyway!?”
30 years ago today, we witnessed the most legendary NFL Draft fight of all time: pic.twitter.com/Pf2LG39lba
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) April 24, 2024
Part of what they go after are intangibles to discredit a top prospect.
Southern California’s Caleb Williams is no different than any super prospect previous to him and any that will come after him.
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Since Southern California’s disastrous season in 2023, it seemingly has been open season on Williams by many analysts including those here at Mike Farrell Sports.
Mike Farrell wrote in his Mind of Mike column back in March:
“Crying in your mom’s lap in the stands after a loss? Nail polish with opponent disrespect on them? Wearing dresses? What appears to be lipstick and a pink phone? It’s 2024 and we are all-inclusive people either by choice or out of social conformity but a football locker room is the opposite. I’m sorry, there is no way to sugarcoat it. There is no inclusion, there is no understanding and there is no respect for those who are different. Football locker rooms are macho, old-school, and unyielding. Simply put, you better be damned good like Dennis Rodman if you are going to be as different as Williams.”
Rock Westfall was more diplomatic in a column last month when he wrote:
“During the season, there were moments when Williams came off as unfocused, self-centered, arrogant, and less than all-in for the USC cause. Many believe he became bigger than the team. Much of that lays at the feet of Lincoln Riley, who again failed to prepare a star QB with the toughness, leadership skills, responsibility to the team, and work ethic needed for the NFL.”
Westfall’s subject in that column was the track record of Lincoln Riley quarterbacks in the NFL, some of his points were valid and some are very much arguable.
At minimum, Westfall’s observations of how Williams carried himself throughout the 2023 season could be construed as such, but what is missed by the criticisms are the frustrations of falling short and not having the team around him to truly compete.
Let’s be honest, it was the (Alex) Grinch that robbed Southern California from a College Football Playoff spot. If Southern California was able to surrender only 21 points in every game last year, they are 10-2 if the offense replicates what it actually did, and who knows if you have Williams in close encounters with Notre Dame and UCLA, they may have turned out differently.
We cannot live in the land of “if’s,” despite a major talent drop off on both sides of the ball, Williams was hovering near the Top 10 in every major passing statistic.
If Williams’ heart wasn’t in it, he would not have repeated his mastery last season, one that has everyone excited in Chicago.
While Williams did not handle situations properly from an external optics point of view, it’s hard to criticize his leadership because according to ESPN’s Field Yates, NFL scouts weren’t concentrating on it.
“I gotta be honest with you guys, I think some of it has been unfair to Caleb so far,” Yates said on the character criticisms Williams has received. “I haven’t heard anything from anybody that’s been in that program, or that’s been around that program, scouting Caleb Williams in person.
“I can’t say that I’ve spoken to every NFL scout that’s been through the USC campus. But nobody I’ve spoken with has told me ‘His character is such a concern that you need to be investigating it night and day until the draft.’ As a matter of fact, nothing even close to that.
“Honestly, I don’t think character is like a red flag, or leadership is a red flag for Caleb Williams at all.”
As the NFL morphs more into zone reads and various RPO offenses, Williams operated from a heavy zone read and RPO offense in Riley’s Air Raid attack. Williams demonstrated his ability to be shifty with his legs but his elite accuracy is what made opposing defenses fear him.
Among the few blemishes Williams has is at times holding on the ball for too long waiting for a play to develop or forcing a play to happen, to me a mature approach in his decision-making is what any NFL team has to do.
Williams’ ball security has been under the microscope with his 33 career fumbles, 16 of which came in 2023, usually quarterbacks of Williams’ pedigree typically want to make plays on every down and learning to play for another down or series has to be taught.
Where everyone seems to be alarmed are the comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is arguably the best quarterback of this generation. Williams’ arm talent is much like Mahomes, they can make any throw with the absolute best precision.
The curb your enthusiasm for folks with Mahomes comparison is the following:
- Ever since Chicago passed on Mahomes for North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky, they have yearned for that elite quarterback.
- Look at Chicago’s greatest quarterback’s list it is Sid Luckman, Jay Cutler, Jim McMahon, and then everyone else.
- Mahomes sat a year behind quarterback Alex Smith, who was a former No. 1 overall pick, who played a part in San Francisco getting to a Super Bowl, and had gone to the Pro Bowl the previous season. Williams will most likely be starter Week 1.
- Mahomes was mentored by Andy Reid, who is arguably one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Williams, if he goes to Chicago, Matt Eberflus, a career defensive coach although offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is seen as a fast rising coach in the NFL.
Williams though will be surrounded by wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, tight end Cole Kmet, and running back D’Andre Swift, something the Bears did not have for Justin Fields.
Ultimately, Williams is about to enter the highest level of professional football, all the money and opportunity is at his feet if he performs and Chicago is the No. 3 market in the United States and it is a Bears town.
Williams has a difficult task to resurrect a franchise that outside the 1985 Bears and the 2010 NFC Championship Game appearance hasn’t done much to reward fans. Williams transferred into the No. 2 market in the United States at Southern California and resurrected a program many felt Clay Helton broke and got them to a Pac-12 Championship Game. Williams has the experience and will deliver, if scouts aren’t questioning him, why should any analyst question Williams?
