Caleb Williams already ahead of established veterans in latest NFL QB rankings

Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 starting quarterbacks in the league. It’s fair to say nationwide expectations for Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams are extremely high. The No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft ranks 19th out of 32 despite never playing an NFL down at the time of release.

1. Patrick Mahomes
32. ??

Ranking all 32 NFL starting QBshttps://t.co/I07FSMAY4B

— PFF (@PFF) May 22, 2024

Some of the quarterbacks Williams is ranked ahead of are established veterans. The likes of Derek Carr, Baker Mayfield, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson are some of the quarterbacks ranked lower than Williams. Mayfield and Watson recently signed lucrative contracts that surpass $100 million in total value.

Williams was the final quarterback ranked in PFF’s fourth tier, one they titled, “A Melting Pot of Starters.”

“I’m opening myself up to some criticism here, as Williams has yet to play a single down of NFL football,” PFF admitted. “But I’m a draft guy, so to watch Williams at USC and scout what I think he is capable of in the NFL and rank him below guys I think he’s better than — even in 2024 — would be disingenuous. Williams has the natural gifts to be an impactful football player in Year 1.”

The Bears have surrounded Williams with an outstanding trio of receivers in Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, and fellow first-round pick Rome Odunze. D’Andre Swift, Cole Kmet, and Gerald Everett qualify as additional above-average supporting cast members. The offensive line features continuity in the form of Teven Jenkins, Nate Davis, Braxton Jones, and Darnell Wright.

“The big question for Williams is whether all the Superman plays at USC were out of desperation or if that is his identity. If it was out of desperation and he can be comfortable playing in structure, he could be in for a big year. If he continues to play backyard football too much, 2024 might be a wild ride.”

The Bears have surrounded Williams with various outstanding weapons at his disposal. New offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has a track record of maximizing the performance of his quarterbacks. PFF is displaying faith in Williams heading into 2024 with their latest quarterback rankings. The onus is on him to prove them accurate.