FullTime Fantasy Rookie Scouting Profile: Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams (QB) USC

Ht.	Wt.	40-Time	NFL Draft	Dynasty ADP	NFL Comp
6-0 7/8	217	4.5*	1.01	1.07	Dak Prescott

* estimate

College Production

The top high school recruit in the nation, Williams first enrolled at Oklahoma as the backup to Spencer Rattler. Williams spearheaded the Sooners’ comeback win over Texas and retained the starting job for the rest of the 2021 season. Ended his freshman campaign with 1,912 passing yards, 442 yards rushing, and 27 total touchdowns.

In 2022, Williams followed Lincoln Riley to USC. Set the Trojans’ school record with 4,537 passing yards, 42 scores, and total offense en route to Walter Camp, Maxwell Award, Sporting News Player of the Year accolades, and winning the Heisman Trophy. Concluded collegiate career with 41 combined scores and a career-high 170.1 QB Rating.

Strengths

• Gunslinger who can make all the throws and checks all the boxes to be an elite franchise signal-caller.

• Excellent accuracy and timing on short and intermediate routes. Williams has the arm talent to make all the throws, including on anticipatory routes.

• Elite runner and thrower who will be a nightmare option in RPO offense.

• Superb leader who comes up clutch and wills his teams to victories.

• Has excellent instincts to avoid pressure and is more than capable of escaping the pocket and churning out huge chunk plays on the ground.

• Good decision-maker who is widely considered one of the best NFL quarterback prospects of the last five years.

Concerns

• Most of his production came in a single-read, shotgun offense at USC.

• Deep-ball accuracy was inconsistent.

• Under ideal “prototype” NFL size. (17th percentile height).

• Ball security on runs.

• Struggled more than expected under pressure.

• Aggressive nature could lead to more downfield interceptions against better-quality NFL defensive backs.

• Did not run a pro-style offense and still needs to improve going through progressions and hanging tough in the pocket against faster, stronger NFL pass rushers.

Fantasy Outlook

Considered a “can’t miss” prospect, Williams is polished and a lock to start in the NFL on Day One. Also, he’s been the prohibitive favorite to be selected No. 1 overall for over two years. With Chicago trading Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, it’s all but certain that Williams will open 2024 as the Bears’ long-sought-after starter.

Williams isn’t quite the runner that Fields was but will be a top-10 running quarterback. Additionally, he’s far better as a passer than Fields. Matt Eberflus is coaching for his job and will undoubtedly put his prized rookie in a strong position to succeed right away.

Chicago made strides in the second half of 2023 and could contend with improved QB play. Williams has the dual-threat capabilities to post QB1 numbers as a rookie. Additionally, the acquisition of Keena Allen gives Williams a pair of elite wideouts to go along with a solid receiving tight end and running back.

View Williams as a strong QB2 in redraft formats and a top-8 signal-caller in dynasty. He’s the lock 1.01 in Superflex rookie drafts and is worthy of top-half of Round One attention in single-QB leagues.