The Chicago Bears made a bold move by selecting Southern California’s standout quarterback, Caleb Williams, as the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft held in Detroit on Thursday. Following closely behind, the Washington Commanders opted for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, while the New England Patriots secured North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
The first round witnessed a quarterback frenzy, with six signal-callers – including Williams, Daniels, Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and Bo Nix – being chosen within the initial 12 picks. In a historic turn of events, a total of 23 offensive players were drafted, marking a record-breaking milestone in NFL draft history.
Williams, widely regarded as the top prospect, showcased his prowess by amassing 3,633 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and a mere five interceptions last season. His stellar performance earned him the prestigious Heisman Trophy, following an impressive season where he propelled the Trojans from a four-win team to an 11-win powerhouse. In 2022, Williams recorded 4,075 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and just four interceptions over 13 games.
The Bears’ strategic move to secure Williams was made possible through a significant trade preceding the 2023 draft. By relinquishing the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers, Chicago acquired receiver DJ Moore along with a bundle of future draft picks, including first- and second-round picks in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025 – the latter of which ultimately transformed into the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft.
Williams joins a revamped Chicago roster, complemented by the acquisitions of six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen and running back D’Andre Swift during the offseason. With rising talents like Moore and tight end Cole Kmet, the Bears are poised for a formidable offensive lineup.
At No. 2, the Commanders secured LSU sensation Jayden Daniels, whose impressive performance earned him the coveted Heisman Trophy in 2023. The 6-foot-4 quarterback showcased his dual-threat capabilities, amassing 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and a mere four interceptions, alongside 1,134 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Patriots made a strategic move by selecting Drake Maye as the No. 3 pick. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Maye possesses the ideal size for the quarterback position, drawing comparisons to Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Maye’s accolades include being named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2022, followed by securing the ACC Player of the Year title as a sophomore, with 3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in his junior year.
The draft took an unexpected turn at No. 8, with the Atlanta Falcons selecting Michael Penix Jr. from Washington. The decision raised eyebrows as Penix Jr. was chosen higher than anticipated, particularly considering the Falcons’ recent signing of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a lucrative four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed.
“It was a big surprise. We had no idea this was coming,” Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, said in a text to the NFL Network. “The truth is the whole league had no idea this was coming. We got no heads up. Kirk got a call from the Falcons when they were on the clock. That was the first we heard. It never came up in any conversation.”
