2024 NFL Draft

Patriots Not Sold On QB Drake Maye?

March 7th, 2024 at 8:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Drake Maye hovered as either this draft’s top non-Caleb Williams QB option for months, predictably forgoing his final two college seasons to prepare for the NFL. Despite not working out at the Combine, the North Carolina prospect has seen his stock encounter some turbulence.

By most accounts, Jayden Daniels — who was not viewed as a top-tier prospect going into his final college season — has leapfrogged Maye as the draft’s second-best quarterback. With three QB-needy teams atop the draft, Maye figures to still be in good standing with regards to being an early draftee. It might take a trade-up for that to happen, however.

Several Patriots scouts are not high on Maye, according to Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline, who adds a source at the Combine informed him the team would trade back if Daniels did not make it past Washington at No. 2. Maye rocketed onto the first-round radar after a breakthrough freshman season, but his sophomore numbers represented a step back. This was not enough to drop Maye’s stock much, however, as he exited the Tar Heels’ season as one of this draft class’ top prospects.

We are not yet in full-on draft-rumor season, but that point is approaching. This is far from a surefire indication the Patriots will pass on Maye at 3, but some doubt does seem to be creeping in here. NBC Sports’ Chris Simms, who has been known to go against the grain when assessing prospects, ranked Maye as this class’ sixth-best QB prospect this week. Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest ESPN.com mock has Maye going to New England at 3, while Daniel Jeremiah’s latest NFL.com big board has Maye at No. 5 overall.

Multiple reports out of Foxborough recently pegged the Patriots as most likely to address their quarterback need in the draft. It would be a daring move for the team to trade out of this draft’s prime QB real estate, but other teams are looking into moving up. The Giants and Raiders have made the most noise about moving up, though the Vikings and Broncos have also been loosely placed on the radar to do so. The Patriots could collect a big haul by moving down, but they would obviously be taking a risk if they exit Round 1 without a QB prospect.

Known for trade-down maneuvers under Bill Belichick, the Patriots have since given the keys to Eliot Wolf, who has switched up the team’s prospect grading system. But Wolf comes from a Packers organization famous for QB prioritization. Wolf was early in his Green Bay front office days when the team snagged Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 first round, despite Brett Favre ultimately not being ready to retire for a while.

The Pats do have plenty of needs, most of them on offense, going into the offseason. They have also been tied to Baker Mayfield, with a number of ties — from Wolf to Alex Van Pelt to Ben McAdoo to Alonzo Highsmith — to the current Buccaneers passer. Paying big money for Mayfield — should he reach the legal tampering period unsigned — would be an unusual move for a team in the Pats’ position. But Maye’s stock will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks.

Raiders Expected To Aggressively Pursue Top-Three Pick

March 5th, 2024 at 10:39pm CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders have been mentioned as a suitor for one of the draft’s top-three quarterbacks, and the buzz is only getting louder. The Raiders are “expected to be aggressive” in trading up from pick No. 13 in pursuit of a quarterback, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Albert Breer of SI.com passes along a similar sentiment, writing that the Raiders are among the teams inquiring “on a trade-up for a quarterback.”

The organization left no stone unturned at last week’s combine, meeting with the majority of the draft’s quarterback prospects. As Bonsignore passes along, the team interviewed a range of QBs, including top prospects like USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye. The team is especially enamored with Daniels, who was at Arizona State when Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce was on the staff.

A trade for any of those three quarterbacks would likely require a massive haul; the Bears are reportedly seeking a historic bounty for the No. 1 selection. As a result, the Raiders may need to pivot to one of the second-tier prospects like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy or Washington’s Michael Penix Jr..

Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed of The Athletic believe one of those non-top-three QBs may be a more reasonable expectation, with the duo writing that a trade into the top-three “may be unrealistic.” Tafur and Reed also pass along that the organization has explored trades into the No. 5 to No. 7 range.

“You have to weigh how bad you want the player and how much you’re giving up,” general manager Tom Telesco said last week. “It’s just a judgment decision. Part of that is we may think we know the player is going to hit, but we really don’t. You never 100 percent know.”

While the quarterback prospects won’t have much (if any) say in their destination, it sounds like the incoming rookies were all impressed by Pierce and the organization.

“What a great job he did this past year,” Maye told Bonsignore. “So much respect for him for earning the respect of the guys.”

Giants Looking Into Trading Up For QB

March 5th, 2024 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

Daniel Jones‘ contract all but ensures he will be on the 2024 Giants. Beyond that, the former Eli Manning successor’s New York future is uncertain. Rumblings continue to surface about the Giants looking into quarterbacks in this draft class.

The team is looking into what it will take to move up for a quarterback next month, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. GM Joe Schoen has indicated on several occasions the team will look at QBs this offseason, pointing out at least one will be added. The big question would be how the Giants add that passer and the to-be-determined signal-caller’s role on the team.

Should the Giants merely add a veteran backup who would provide insurance and serve as an offseason arm while Jones recovers from an ACL tear, it is not exactly a key storyline. That passer would slide into the background, presumably between Jones and Tommy DeVito, once the incumbent starter recovered. Schoen has said the team expects Jones to be back by training camp, and the third-year GM has proclaimed the veteran will be the team’s starter once he recovers.

The more intriguing storyline would certainly be a Giants first-round QB investment. Holding the No. 6 overall pick, the Giants would not be expected to land one of this draft class’ top three quarterbacks without trading up. Caleb Williams has been a mortal lock to go first overall for months, while Drake Maye loomed the next-best option for most of that stretch. Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, however, has gained considerable ground — to the point many expect the Commanders to take the LSU product at No. 2. Maye would then be positioned to go third to the Patriots — unless they trade back.

It would seem any Giants climb would need to be tied to that Patriots pick, as the Commanders would be highly unlikely to deal with their division rivals in a trade of this magnitude. The Pats are no strangers to first-round trade-down moves, but Bill Belichick not running the show may matter here. De facto Pats GM Eliot Wolf comes from an organization that has prioritized QB investments, with the Packers taking Aaron Rodgers during the second-generation personnel man’s early years in the front office. Passing on a chance to grab a passer without trading up would be a risk for a Patriots team that has seen Mac Jones take significant steps back over the past two seasons.

The Pats are expected to address their QB need in the draft, though free agency may be part of the plan as well. The team has been linked to Baker Mayfield, as Wolf and a few others on staff have ties to the Buccaneers QB. Of course, the Bucs still have until March 11 to prevent him from talking to other teams. And it would be costly for the Pats to sign Mayfield. Even though Wolf’s team leads the NFL in cap space, it would surprise if much of it was devoted to a veteran QB in free agency.

If New England were to view Maye (or Daniels) as too risky of an investment, then the prospect of a big haul from the Giants or another team would come into play. Given the demand that may exist here, it would surprise if the Patriots and Commanders did not at least consider the prospect of moving down — even at the risk of having no long-term QB plan.

Jones did not impress before his ACL tear last season, though the Giants again fielded a low-level skill-position group and encountered several offensive line injuries. But the Giants can get out of Jones’ contract fairly easily in 2025. With Schoen not being in place when the Giants drafted Jones, it is logical he will explore avenues to a higher-upside prospect.

Cardinals Open To Trading No. 4 Pick?

March 3rd, 2024 at 11:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

Presuming the Bears replace Justin Fields with Caleb Williams and the Commanders and Patriots keep their respective places in the draft order, three quarterbacks could very well hear their names called with the first three picks in April. That would leave the Cardinals’ top draft slot as one worth monitoring.

Arizona has made repeated commitments to Kyler Murray as the quarterback of the present and future, so the team will not be looking for a starting-caliber addition this spring. Regardless of how the first three picks play out, though, teams further down the draft board could be inclined to move up to secure the next available signal-caller. For that reason, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports the Cardinals are “open” to trading down (subscription required).

After a 4-13 campaign, Arizona’s roster certainly has a number of holes to fill. Adding further draft capital would assist in the effort on the part of second-year general manager Monti Ossenfort in taking the organization’s rebuild to its next step. Ossenfort proved willing to maneuver on draft day last year, moving out of the third overall slot before ultimately trading back up from 12th to sixth in the order. That process landed the Cardinals Houston’s first-rounder in 2024; as such, Arizona is set to select fourth and 27th as things currently stand.

A top-five selection would provide the Cardinals a chance to add a much-needed No. 1 wideout. The status of pending free agent Marquise Brown is uncertain, but even if he were to be retained, a noteworthy addition at the position would be welcomed. For much of the season, the most common prospect linked with Arizona was phenom wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. If Ossenfort were to elect to stay put, the former Ohio State star would represent a logical target.

In the event a trade-down was executed, though, several other high-profile receiver options could still be within reach. Malik Nabers (LSU) and Rome Odunze (Washington) have both drawn considerable praise in the build-up to the draft, and Arizona could select either one with a slightly lower top-10 pick. Adding an impact offensive tackle (such as Notre Dame’s Joe Alt or Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu) could also be an option in the back half of the top 10.

The Cardinals ranked 31st in scoring defense in 2023, so improvements in that regard will no doubt be an offseason priority. Most of the 2024 class’ top prospects are on the other side of the ball, though, and an addition helping Murray and Co. remains a likely outcome. Whether or not that comes at the No. 4 slot will be interesting to watch as the draft approaches.

Teams Inquiring On Commanders’ No. 2 Overall Pick

March 3rd, 2024 at 11:04am CST by Sam Robinson

Holding the No. 2 overall pick for a second time in five years, Washington has an opportunity it passed on in 2020. A quarterback should be expected to head to D.C. with that draft slot, but other teams are making early efforts to see if the Commanders are interested in moving the pick.

Multiple clubs have inquired about Washington’s interest in trading down from No. 2, according to ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano. Some moving parts exist at quarterback, with some teams that lack top-three draft real estate needing to consider veteran options. But a couple of those teams figure to still need starter solutions — in the long term, at least — exiting free agency. That would naturally make the Commanders’ pick attractive, as this draft holds multiple non-Caleb Williams QB prospects expected to go early.

Heisman winner Jayden Daniels‘ stock is up, with Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest ESPN.com mock draft sending the LSU prospect to Washington. Drake Maye had stood as this class’ top non-Williams option for months, and while the ex-Sam Howell North Carolina teammate’s stock may not have definitively dropped to the point he is a threat to fall out of the top three, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has moved him down on his latest big board. Jeremiah places Maye at No. 5 and Daniels at 6, though QB demand figures to see both going off the board earlier.

The Commanders, of course, have hired Williams’ most recent position coach — Kliff Kingsbury — as OC. Some around the league believe Kingsbury brings strong Williams support, per Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano, though that would not exactly matter barring a seeming Bears course change. For weeks, it is believed Chicago would need to receive a historic offer to part with the No. 1 pick for a second straight year. With all signs pointing to the team trading Justin Fields and going with Williams, Kingsbury’s interest in a reunion would be a moot subject.

None of the quarterbacks Washington chose in the first round in its modern history — Heath Shuler, Robert Griffin III and Dwayne Haskins — panned out, but it would still surprise to see a new regime pass on filling its QB need at No. 2. New football ops president Adam Peters is indeed likely to authorize a quarterback choice at 2, Vacchiano adds.

The team could collect a haul for that draft slot, as teams like the Giants, Vikings, Broncos and Raiders — mentioned as being interested in Daniels — being among those who would stand to be interested in coming up for a passer. Though, it would be rather astounding if the Commanders did business with the Giants involving a pick this high. By trading down with anyone, the Commanders would be passing on a clear window to upgrade at the game’s premier position if they took the trade route. Early on, the 2025 class does not appear to be a QB-rich group. Even with Peters playing a role in the 49ers’ Trey Lance trade-up, the ensuing Brock Purdy flier probably should not be taken as an indication the new boss believes a quarterback can be a later-round addition.

As for the Commanders’ 17-game starter from last season, Vacchiano adds Howell will likely draw trade interest from several teams if Washington made him available. Peters spoke highly of Howell this week, and the 2022 fifth-rounder’s age (23) and contract status (two rookie-deal years remaining) would naturally make him appealing — even as a host of bridge- or backup-level QBs are set to be available soon. For now, Howell appears positioned to be the Commanders’ backup in 2024 — or at best likely to lose his job once the No. 2 overall pick is ready to play.

Washington passed on drafting a QB in 2020 due to having chosen Haskins 15th overall the year prior. The team left Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert on the board that year, choosing eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young. It does not seem likely the NFC East franchise would make a similar move with the second overall choice this time.

Texas WR Xavier Worthy Sets Combine 40-Yard Dash Record

March 2nd, 2024 at 5:46pm CST by Ely Allen

Records are meant to be broken, and we just saw John Ross‘ seven-year record for the 40-yard dash fall. Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy set NFL history today. After watching Worthy deliver the day’s top 40 time of 4.25 seconds on his first run, the internet took notice. Worthy decided to challenge Ross’ record and ended up besting his first run with an unofficial time of 4.22 seconds, tying Ross’ long-standing record. Matt Miller of ESPN was the first to report Worthy’s official, record-breaking time of 4.21 seconds.

Top 40 times have been a mixed bag over the years. Sprint times like that don’t typically take a relatively unknown prospect and turn them into a first-round pick, but rarely does speed like that not improve a player’s draft stock. Players already seen as Day 1 picks may climb a little further up the board. Fringe top prospects could push their way into the first round. Mid-round prospects could work their way up to Day 2, late-round up to mid-, and undraftable prospects either sneak their way into the late rounds or became priority free agents.

The previous record-holder fell into that first group. Already considered a top wide receiver prospect following a redshirt junior year at Washington that saw him catch 81 passes for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns, Ross found himself getting selected in the top 10 draft picks. Injuries and an inability to crack the starting lineup in Cincinnati hindered Ross’ first two years in the league, though he proved effective as a redzone target in his sophomore season, catching seven touchdowns. He had a career-high of 506 receiving yards the following season, but ultimately, his rookie fifth-year option was declined, and after a one-year stint with the Giants and a futures deal with the Chiefs, the speedy receiver announced his retirement this past November.

Worthy falls into the second category of the prospects listed above. ESPN’s Mel Kiper lists him as the ninth-best wide receiver prospect in the draft, while Dane Brugler of The Athletic slots him in as the 10th-best wideout and the 46th-best prospect overall. In theory, that would land him securely in the second round of this year’s draft. With today’s record-setting performance, there’s a chance that some teams may be sliding him up their draft boards. It may not be enough to move him into Day 1, but if he interviews well and satisfies in other workouts, he could earn himself a fifth-year option.

Worthy proved in his first two seasons with the Longhorns that he could score, catching 21 touchdowns over the two-year span. He lost some touchdown catches to teammate Adonai Mitchell in 2023, with Mitchell snagging 11 touchdown grabs, but Worthy led the team in receiving yards and receptions every year he played in Austin. Mitchell is widely expected to be a first-round selection this April, and after today’s strong showing, Worthy may just join him there.

NFL Draft Notes: Harrison, LSU, Texas, DeJean, Bowers

March 2nd, 2024 at 4:06pm CST by Ely Allen

We truly are starting to see a new era of pre-draft football in the NFL. On a day in which we saw every quarterback in the first group of passers except for Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman opt out of running the 40-yard dash, we continue to report on prospects who are seeing the NFL’s scouting combine as less and less of a priority.

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, star Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will not be participating in any of the testing at the combine. It doesn’t stop there, though, as Harrison has made the decision to not even train for those types of drills in the runup to the draft. Harrison will continue to work on pure football drills, allowing his tape to do the talking.

Players like Harrison have the luxury of this approach. For the last two years, Harrison has widely been considered the top wide receiver prospect in this year’s crop. He only solidified that status with a second straight stellar season with the Buckeyes. He has a fairly good idea of where he’s going to fall in the draft, so he doesn’t feel the need to display his full set of abilities in an attempt to up his draft stock. Instead, he will focus on team interviews and preparing for the more practical aspects of NFL readiness. Breer also informs us that Harrison will head to the league without an agent, joining another recent trend.

The combine and pro days remain a crucial part of the pre-draft process for many of the mid- to late-round prospects, but for top players, workouts like these are beginning to become more and more superfluous.

Here are a few other draft rumors as the combine continues:

On the topic of non-participants, LSU Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels and his wide receiver Malik Nabers have both opted out of their workouts in Indianapolis, choosing to work out at their pro day, instead. Today we found out that both players are also skipping the measurements portion of the combine, as well, per ESPN’s Field Yates. The two Tigers will submit to measurements at their pro day before workouts.
One name that’s been climbing draft boards of late is Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy. Murphy’s versatility across the line has scouts excited and makes him a fit for pretty much every squad. Reflecting this, Murphy reportedly had 25 official interviews set up at the combine, according to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda. Pauline also reports that the Raiders, Colts, Seahawks, and Vikings have all scheduled to bring him in for an official-30 visit. The list of suitors for the Longhorn defender likely won’t stop there.
Another top Texas prospect, running back Jonathon Brooks continues to make his way back from ACL surgery that ended his final season in Austin. The top rusher on both ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s and Dane Brugler of The Athletic’s boards, Brooks is reportedly “healing well and as expected,” per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. While he obviously won’t be participating in any pre-draft workouts, he’s expected to be cleared for training camp.
Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean‘s leg injury continues to hold him out of football activities in the leadup to the draft. After already learning that he wouldn’t be available to workout at the combine, Greg Auman of FOX Sports informs us that DeJean will also not participate in physical activities at Iowa’s pro day. DeJean claims to be fully cleared from the fracture in his lower leg and that he will work out at some point before the draft, but it looks like scouts will have to make personal trips out to Iowa City in order to workout DeJean.
Finally, one more top draft prospect made the decision not to workout at the combine this year. Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, the top prospect at his position per both Kiper and Brugler and a likely top-10 pick, will not work out in Indianapolis. Scouts interested in seeing this Bulldog in action will have to make their way out to Georgia’s pro day.

Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Sitting Out Combine With Injury

March 1st, 2024 at 9:13pm CST by Ely Allen

Projected first-round cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, born Ga’Quincy, appeared in Indianapolis today prepared to measure and work out at the NFL scouting combine. Unfortunately, though, McKinstry discovered in a combine medical evaluation that he had a Jones fracture in his right foot, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Due to the injury, McKinstry made the decision not to work out with the other defensive back prospects today.

A Jones fracture is a fairly common foot injury, and it’s not uncommon for athletes to be unaware that they have one. The only symptom of the issue tends to be soreness on the outside of the foot, a sensation athletes frequently experience and often shrug off as normal. That also makes it an easy injury to play through, which explains why McKinstry is only now discovering the fracture.

Due to poor blood supply to the area, Jones fractures do not tend to heal well on their own, making surgery a necessary requirement in order to heal. Surgery now would prevent McKinstry from working out for scouts at all in the leadup to the 2024 NFL Draft, so it appears he will hold off on surgery for now. McKinstry will regroup with his coaches and trainers back in Tuscaloosa and plans to work out for scouts there at his pro day.

Following that workout, McKinstry will get the procedure to repair the fracture. The expectation for recovery sees him ready to return with plenty of time for NFL training camps, so today’s discovery is unlikely to hurt his draft stock much, if at all. McKinstry measures out as a prototypical NFL cornerback and showed strong attributes on film this year. A strong workout at Alabama could help make up for a lack of statistical production at the college level and solidify his first-round status.

QB Rumors: Brady, 49ers, Purdy, Dalton, Eagles, Maye, Jones, Giants, Jackson, Ravens

February 28th, 2024 at 4:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kyle Shanahan confirmed Brock Purdy‘s account that provided one final Tom Brady–49ers connection. Shanahan alerted Purdy of his effort to lure Brady out of retirement during the younger QB’s rehab from UCL surgery. Brady passed, leading to the 49ers’ Sam Darnold signing.

“I actually thought it was giving Brock the biggest compliment,” Shanahan said, via NBC Sports’ Peter King. “I let him know he’s our guy long term. No question. And if Tom Brady wanted to come here and start for one year, that’s the only way you’re not starting when you’re healthy this year. That’s pretty cool. I wanted to assure him, ‘Don’t worry. You’re our guy. But how cool would it be if Tom Brady would be the quarterback here for one season? How cool would it be for you to learn from him?’

“I mean, if Brock never got hurt, this wouldn’t have been a consideration at all. I’d never have brought it up. But I’ve got to think about the team. What if he’s not ready in September?”

Brady’s re-retirement has stuck, with the 46-year-old legend not playing in 2023. The 49ers passed on making a serious pursuit of the Bay Area native in 2020, sticking with Jimmy Garoppolo. Brady was connected to the 49ers in 2022 as well, but when the Buccaneers would not trade his rights during retirement No. 1, he came back to Tampa. The seven-time Super Bowl winner is en route to becoming a Raiders minority owner and FOX’s No. 1 analyst. Purdy, who was back by training camp and showed last season his post-Garoppolo work as a rookie was no fluke, is signed through the 2025 season. The 49ers cannot give him an extension until after this year.

Here is the latest from the quarterback scene:

Drake Maye will join Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels in not throwing at the Combine, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson. Widely expected to be a top-five pick, Maye is only scheduled to meet with teams and go through physicals. A light Indianapolis schedule is mostly available only to surefire candidates to go off the board early, but such prospects are taking advantage of the limited participation option.
Not nearly on the level of the Brady-49ers what-if transaction, the Eagles made a strong pursuit for Andy Dalton during last year’s free agency, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan notes. A signing was close here, per Caplan, but Philadelphia pivoted to Marcus Mariota after Dalton chose Carolina’s two-year, $10MM ($8MM guaranteed) offer. The Eagles added Mariota on a one-year, $5MM deal. Barring a Mariota re-signing, Philly will need to add a new backup quarterback soon.
Daniel Jones‘ rehab continues to unfold smoothly. Giants GM Joe Schoen expects his starter to be ready for training camp and indicated the sixth-year veteran has begun throwing. Jones is not yet dropping back and throwing, but not yet four months after his ACL tear, the longtime New York starter is progressing toward his goal of a training camp return. Schoen reiterated (via Giants.com’s Michael Eisen) at the Combine that Jones will be the Giants’ starter if healthy. The Giants are still expected to add a quarterback, though one of this offseason’s central storylines is whether that passer will be a first-round pick or merely a veteran backup for Jones. The Giants can get out of Jones’ contract with a modest dead-money sum in 2025.
Lamar Jackson did not sign his Ravens extension until draft day last year, stalling his start in new OC Todd Monken‘s system. That did not exactly slow the dual-threat superstar, who won his second MVP award. But the Ravens are giving Jackson more autonomy into the offense’s design this year, per John Harbaugh. The 17th-year Baltimore HC said conversations with Jackson about new offensive dimensions began soon after the team’s AFC championship game loss.

Caleb Williams Will Not Throw At Combine

February 25th, 2024 at 10:17pm CST by Ely Allen

The importance of the NFL Scouting Combine continues to be called into question two years after stringent COVID-19 rules nearly caused a mass boycott of the event in 2022. The topic of the boycott brought attention to how important the combine is for late-round, fringe, and small school prospects while potentially serving as a negative for some of college football’s best. Those debates may crop up again with recent news that USC quarterback Caleb Williams plans not to throw at next week’s combine, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.

To clarify, Williams still plans on attending the event in Indianapolis, according to Ian Rapoport. He’ll be available to interview with any interested teams. It’s unclear if he’ll perform in any of the other workouts of the combine, but we know for sure that he will not throw. Rapoport informs us that Williams’ plan is to wait until his pro day, where he will throw and workout for scouts.

There will be pundits chirping on both sides of the story. Some will support the decision, claiming that he has nothing to gain from throwing at the combine. He’s already expected to be selected at No. 1 overall and plans to throw on March 20 at the Trojan’s pro day. What good can be done by working out twice?

The other side will point to character issues that have persisted in the media throughout his junior year of college. Williams’ mentality and leadership took hits late in the year from the media after the quarterback refused to speak to reporters following what ended up being his final game of college football. Rapoport himself seemed to call out the 22-year-old citing Joe Burrow as an example of how a quarterback should handle his role and responsibilities. His refusal to work out among the other quarterbacks is sure to draw criticism from those who already believe that “off-field concerns” exist for the young passer.

In reality, there are advantages to working at the combine, namely the officiality of the measurements and the additional opportunity to work with NFL coaches. Sure, he will get to perform workouts at his pro day, but the results of timed exercises will be hand-timed. Also, while some coaches will choose to attend USC’s pro day, the combine serves as an additional opportunity to work with NFL staff. Some will look down on Williams’ decision to reject that opportunity.

So, yes, there are advantages, but are they minimal for someone with his current draft stock? That’s difficult to answer. We have certainly seen bad combine performances affect draft stock. Most recently, free agent tight end Isaac Nauta went from first-round prospect to seventh-round pick in 2019. Similarly, Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. fell to the third round after what is classically seen as one of the worst combine performances of all time. Still, there are examples of players like Terrell Suggs, who, despite a terrible combine performance, still turned out to be a top-10 pick.

Could Williams be the next to fall victim to the combine? Probably not. He isn’t expected to deliver anywhere near that poor of a performance and, even if he did, his current stock is simply too high to warrant a drastic fall. Still, when he’s already at the top of most prospect rankings, there’s nowhere for him to go but down. It’s hard to blame him for choosing not to take any chances heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.

His announcement has, obviously, caught headlines, though. In the time between the Schultz’s initial report and this one, both Schultz and Rapoport have reported on a number of other prospect’s intentions. So far, South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Oregon’s Bo Nix, and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy have all made it known that they intend to throw next week. Only LSU’s Jayden Daniels has joined Williams in announcing his intentions to wait until his pro day, per Rapoport. The other four passers will have the opportunity to not only work out at the combine in front of NFL coaches but also to do so in direct comparison to their competition, with the lone exceptions (so far) of Williams and Daniels.

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