The Chicago Bears have not had the best of luck with quarterbacks in the last two decades. Since their last Super Bowl appearance in 2006, led by Rex Grossman, Chicago has gone through 17 starting quarterbacks. Those 17 quarterbacks are responsible for just three winning seasons and two playoff victories. After the latest quarterback experience flopped due to the inconsistency of Justin Fields, Chicago was given a chance at redemption. After drawing the first overall pick (thanks to Carolina), Chicago selected the dynamic Caleb Williams as their next quarterback. The former Trojan has been given the keys to the car and is now being counted on to drive this franchise back to NFL relevancy.
Caleb Williams Dynasty Outlook
Patrick Mahomes 2.0
It is too early to call Caleb Williams the next “Patrick Mahomes” in terms of an NFL quarterback. However as a pure “football player”, the similarities are apparent. Both display unorthodox but lethal arm talent, they can make any type of throw and each has precise-pocket presence. His accuracy and ability to fit balls in tight windows led to just eight interceptions in 599 pass attempts in his previous two college seasons. Williams also thrives at escaping the pocket and making plays on his feet. William’s ability to extend plays was on full display during his stellar college career. Williams enjoyed his first college season in Oklahoma, putting the nation on notice of his talents. Following his freshman season, Williams decided to follow his head coach at Oklahoma (Lincoln Riley) and spend his sophomore and junior seasons at USC. As a sophomore, he won the Heisman trophy and broke countless Pac-12 records. As a junior, his production dipped but not enough to lower his draft creditability. Overall, Williams displayed superstar potential in those two seasons which led him to No.5 on USC’s all-time passing yards list.
Situation in Chicago
There was some disarray without the organization months leading up to the draft. Many questioned what Chicago was going to do, whether that was keeping Justin Fields and trading the first overall pick or trading Fields and keeping the No.1 overall pick. Chicago held the key to the whole outcome of the first round of the NFL Draft. In mid-March, they only amplified fans’ questions. Chicago traded for wide receiver Keenan Allen and signed free-agent running back D’Andre Swift in back-to-back days (March 13 and 14). When these moves happened, you started to believe that the front office was giving Fields more weapons to work with. However, the very next week, Fields was traded to Pittsburgh. Now, it was clear, Williams was going to be the guy. The billboards went up around the city and fans started making their own Williams jerseys before real ones actually dropped.
In terms of “fit” and ability to take control of the offense, Williams has that. During his time at USC, the team around him was mediocre, but Williams clawed and fought every week to still put his team in a winning position, gaining respect from everyone along the way. The must-talked-about player always is given the most shade or picked apart the most. But thanks to his skill set and the situation he is in in Chicago, his potential is sky-high.
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Chicago #Bears Caleb Williams in Rookie Mini Camp— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 10, 2024
Caleb Williams Dynasty Outlook
Williams is the No.1 quarterback in this draft class value-wise and one of best overall rookies. By the numbers, Williams is the No.4 overall rookie in dynasty leagues. He sits behind the three sure-fire wide receivers in Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze. However, with how much of an effect to a team a solid quarterback is, Williams might be the most important on this list. Furthermore, the situation is far better than the ones previously mentioned. Williams has a chance to stand out sooner and more efficiently than anyone else in this class, thanks to his situation alone. In college, Williams often left the pocket a little too early instead of making the smarter plays. While in Chicago, he will not have to be as reckless. Allen and DJ Moore will be on each side, Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett will be options down the middle and Swift and Roschon Johnson will be options out of the backfield.
With the core around him, Williams is a safe option in every fantasy league. FantasyPros has him currently projected to be the QB 12-15 selection in re-draft leagues and the No. 3-4 selection in every dynasty draft imaginable the QB 13 overall. Pre-draft trade talks could heat up heavily as everyone would be trying to get their hands on Williams. Williams has star potential for Chicago as a city and every fantasy team that selects him this year. Ultimately, Williams could struggle early as many rookies do but when his confidence improves and the chemistry with his offense gets there, Williams could be a fantastic NFL quarterback.
Main Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
