Patriots: Potential QB Options: A Caleb Williams Review
The New England Patriots are eyeing a top-five draft selection in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. With a 2-7 record, they currently hold the fifth overall pick. If the plan is to upgrade at QB, the best course of action is to pursue one at the top of the draft. However, there are some other […]
The New England Patriots are eyeing a top-five draft selection in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. With a 2-7 record, they currently hold the fifth overall pick. If the plan is to upgrade at QB, the best course of action is to pursue one at the top of the draft. However, there are some other intriguing options projected to go in the first three rounds. In this review process, I'm naturally starting with the current consensus QB1: Caleb Williams.
Williams is as highly anticipated of a prospect as we have seen in years. He is widely considered one of the few, rare generational prospects. Held in the same regard as Trevor Lawrence and Andrew Luck by many. That doesn't mean he is flawless, but the upside is the best QB in the NFL.
Pros:
Magic: Williams has that Mahomes gene. He can create when the play breaks down and has some of that "magic" in his game that the best QBs have.
Running Ability: I am not talking about escapability because I think we covered that by mentioning the "magic" aspect of his game. He is a threat on the ground. Teams could feasibly draw up read options and let him make plays with his legs. I am not sure if he has the elite top-end speed to regularly break out for 45-yard runs, but he definitely offers the short-area quickness to stretch defenses with a QB keeper on short-yardage situations.
Arm Talent: From arm strength, velocity, and varied arm angles to other factors, Williams possesses an elite arm. It's challenging to quantify arm talent with a single statistic, yet Williams has an impressive record: 14 touchdowns to one interception on passes that traveled beyond 20 yards. Additionally, he ranks second in adjusted completion percentage amongst the 17 qualifying QBs on passes that travel 20+ yards.
Cons:
Pressure/Overcreating: It is not a well-kept secret: the pass rush generating pressure on the QB is the single biggest influence on the QB making errant throws. The worst QBs struggle immensely against pressure, and the best capitalize on it. I would classify Williams in the middle tier right now. You can see the high-end ability to create outside of structure at times, but you can also see the rushed, undisciplined Williams who's overextending himself to the point of costing his team games. You see both the highs and lows on film, and the concern is that he is playing in a college division that doesn't have a ton of NFL-level defenders (PAC-12). I included some of the errant throws from the Notre Dame game below.
Interception No. 1
Interception No. 2
Interception No. 3
