ESPN analyst doesn’t think Caleb Williams will be best rookie QB in 2024

Former two-time Super Bowl champion Booger McFarland offered a bold prediction on ESPN’s “Get Up” this week that was shocking for Chicago Bears fans: Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, will look more impressive than Caleb Williams by the season’s midpoint.

Check out his comments below.

“Don’t be surprised if midway through the season, we’re having a conversation [that] … the No. 2 pick, Jayden Daniels, looks better than the No. 1 pick, Caleb Williams.”

—@ESPNBooger pic.twitter.com/8sUVtt78ts

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 18, 2024

I have to be blunt on this one. Unless you believe Williams is on course to be a bust, there is no reason to think Jayden Daniels will look better in 2024. Even if you think Daniels and Williams are roughly equal in terms of talent (I disagree strongly on that), look at the rosters.

The Washington Commanders have just one proven NFL receiver in Terry McLaurin. There’s potential in young players like Jahan Dotson and tight end Ben Sinnott, and veteran Zach Ertz was a nice signing. Still, none of these names are particularly inspiring for a rookie quarterback with a penchant for bailing on pockets too quickly.

Chicago Bears supporting cast is a big reason why Caleb Williams will shine in 2024

Contrast the Commanders’ skill players with the stable of pass catchers available to Williams: Six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen. DJ Moore, who’s gone for over 1,100 yards in four of his last five seasons. Rome Odunze, who many NFL Draft analysts thought was the best receiver in the 2024 class. A fringe Top 5 tight end in Cole Kmet.

Washington’s offensive line will also be among the league’s worst. PFF ranks them at 27th while putting the Bears at 11th. They did acquire Austin Ekeler this offseason, but he’s washed.

Defense matters, too. Chicago’s defense is a fringe Top 10 unit with potential to even higher in 2024. The Commanders, on the other hand, traded away their two best pass rushers in 2023, including sending Montez Sweat to the Bears, where he earned his first Pro Bowl nod. Washington’s defensive tackles are studs, but the rest of that unit looks weak. Unfortunately for Daniels, he will likely be forced to chase leads much more often than Williams.

With all due respect to McFarland, this prediction carries no water. There will be no discussion of whether or not the Bears made the right pick because, even if Williams is not exactly blowing anyone away, Daniels will almost certainly look worse.