USC quarterback Caleb Williams is projected by many analysts as the player who will be selected first in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears, who own the first overall pick, are already on the clock and are figuring out their game plan with the selection.
It would seem to be a no-brainer to select Caleb Williams, who many believe is one of the better quarterback prospects to come into the league in the last few years. His statistics are certainly impressive, and the NFL Combine would give teams a chance to see him work out.
Alas, he opted against taking part in any of the drills. Caleb Williams is at the NFL Combine, but it just meeting with some of the teams’ representatives who are there. Reportedly eight teams are going to meet with him; the Bears, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets and New York Giants.
NFL News & Rumors: Caleb Williams, 2024 NFL Combine, 2024 NFL Draft Updates
Somewhat shockingly, those meetings are the only thing he is doing. As shared by Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Caleb Williams isn’t doing medical examinations with teams. Normally, the medical testing is one of the most important parts of the combine, but a new precedent is being set by the USC star.
“One league source believes Williams is the first combine invitee to attend the event after declining the medical exams, which are typically considered to be one of the most essential elements of the combine.
In accepting his invitation, Williams also did not sign off on having his medical records shared with all 32 teams, sources say,” Jones wrote.
There has been complaints in the past about how long the examination process takes and players feel it is monotonous. Being asked the same or similar questions over and over again is something some of them felt was unnecessary.
NFL News & Rumors: Caleb Williams, 2024 NFL Combine, 2024 NFL Draft Updates
It would be fair to assume that Caleb Williams would fall into that boat, as he is just skipping the entire process altogether. As Jones stated, this is an unprecedented move, as Williams is the first player to ever attend the NFL Combine and not take part in medical exams.
Widely expected to go first overall, Williams has a lot of leverage in this situation. There is no need to go through the entire medical process or take part in drills when in the mix to go first overall. Being selective with who he talks to can help steer him in a certain direction if he wants to land with a specific team near the top of the draft.
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