13 July 2023 , 18:19
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USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy last season. He has already been compared to some of the game's best quarterbacks, with the expectation that he will be an elite professional performer for many years.
But scouts are still debating who exactly Williams' style most closely resembles. His strong arm, which led him to throw for 4,537 yards last season, may inspire some experts to describe him as the next Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback who has already won two Super Bowl titles in his five years as a starter.
One former NFL scout, Daniel Jeremiah, instead identifies traits of a different active quarterback when he watches Williams. Because of the Trojan signal-caller's power-rushing abilities, Jeremiah noted he could be more like Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen.
"Patrick Mahomes is going to be the popular comparison for Williams," Jeremiah wrote on the NFL's official website. I can see it. They are both so creative and deliver the ball accurately from different launch points and arm angles. However, from a style and skill set perspective, I think he has more in common with Josh Allen."
Added Jeremiah: "Obviously, Allen is much taller (6-foot-5), but they are similar athletes as runners and both guys aren't afraid to seek out contact. They possess elite arm strength to power outside shots versus Cover 2. They like to read plays top-down, always hunting for the big opportunity. Also, they can take speed off the ball, showing touch on screens and quick hitters. Allen has solidified himself as a top-three quarterback in the NFL, and I see that type of upside in Williams."
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Allen received less hype than Williams coming out of college, and some fans accused the Bills of reaching when they selected him at No. 7 in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Wyoming. That largely came down to a lower level of college competition, as Wyoming rarely plays ranked teams as a member of the Mountain West Conference.
However, Allen's strong-throwing, aggressive-rushing archetype has drawn increased love from NFL evaluators amid his rise in Buffalo. Last season, Allen threw 35 touchdowns to just 14 interceptions while rushing for 762 yards and seven touchdowns.
Josh Allen threw 35 touchdown passes last season and has emerged as one of the NFL's best young quarterbacks. (Getty Images)If Williams can really provide the dual-threat NFL production of Allen, he would give any organisation great value as a first-round draft pick. Jeremiah believes the 21-year-old possesses the potential to meet that lofty expectation.
"Williams can beat the blitz-happy approach with his ability to avoid and escape," Jeremiah wrote. "There is nothing more demoralizing for a defense than executing a perfect blitz only to see Williams shake off the pass rusher and create a huge play down the field.
"When teams drop eight defenders into coverage, he can retreat in the pocket, buy time and fire deep crossers for chunk plays. There really isn't a right answer for how to shut down Williams in [USC head coach Lincoln] Riley's system. It's a joy to watch."