USC Trojans star Caleb Williams is expected by most draft experts to be the eventual No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, teams that are looking into drafting him will need to wait until his Pro Day to see him throw in person.
The 2024 NFL Draft Combine is set to kick off next week, an event that is often used by teams to help evaluate talent. Quarterbacks can often improve their stock with a solid performance at the event. But some choose not the throw at the event, instead creating hype for their Pro Day.
This is reportedly the route that Williams is opting to go. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Williams will be at the event, but will not throw for teams at the event.
Potential top overall pick #USC QB Caleb Williams will wait until his Pro Day to throw and workout for scouts, sources say. He’ll be in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, but not throw for teams. pic.twitter.com/uITGKO9c37
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2024
It can obviously be argued whether it is a good decision for Williams to opt not to throw at the combine. Regardless, fans are obviously disappointed to hear that his talents will not be on display this coming weekend.
To be expected but would’ve been cool to see how he stacks up amongst the other top QBs this week https://t.co/HOuCeHj4YH
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) February 26, 2024
Can someone explain this to me? Is this normal? What is the strategy? https://t.co/BRqmcVPJYd
— Turkey Fonseca (@TurkeyFonseca) February 26, 2024
I understand why but does this bother anyone when QBs choose this route at the #NFL combine? https://t.co/uH3E9Ld5pF
— KcRoss “Old Head”©️🇺🇸 (@ArrowheadAM_PM) February 26, 2024
Scared of Maye https://t.co/CMotnqD29y pic.twitter.com/CEBsqWj0UG
— mr sallick (@sallick19) February 26, 2024
Interviews more important than throwing for him anyway. https://t.co/F1zlhTzfRD
— Shane McCormick (@SMcCormick_FF) February 26, 2024
Those who are criticizing this decision likely don’t understand the stakes involved with throwing at the event. Obviously, a freak injury can happen, which has led to many former No. 1 overall picks including Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Kyler Murray, and most recently Bryce Young also choosing not to throw at the combine.
LSU star Jayden Daniels also will not throw at the combine, which also makes sense considering he is likely a top-10 pick as well in the draft.
#LSU QB Jayden Daniels, one of the NFL Draft’s top QBs, plans to throw at his Pro Day rather than the NFL Combine, sources say. He’ll be in Indy for interviews and meetings, but not work out. pic.twitter.com/nci8RXI9Kr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 26, 2024
On the other hand, this decision could come back to hurt both Williams and Daniels. This is a very talented quarterback class with the likes of Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix all with the potential to go very early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
If any of these players listed above choose to throw and have a special day at the combine, it could make quite the impression on NFL teams.
Could it even be enough to be seen as a better prospect than Williams? Unlikely, but it is at least a possibility when it comes to Drake Maye in particular.
