Today, I’m going to be tackling my first of a three-part series comparing the 2024 incoming QBs. Today, it’s the two at the top: Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Next time, I’ll be looking at Jayden Daniels V Michael Penix and, lastly, J.J. McCarthy V Bo Nix. These QBs are some of the tops in this year’s class, and which is superior is worth discussing.
Caleb Williams (QB – USC)
Caleb Williams has been the consensus NFL 1.1 since the middle of the 2022 collegiate season when he went on to win the Heisman Trophy. He is 6’1″ and 216 lbs, meaning he has prototypical NFL QB size and no height or weight concerns. Caleb threw for 3,633 yards with 30 TDs and 5 INTs in 2023 while regressing slightly from his star-studded 2022, where he went for 4,536 yards, 42 TDs, and 5 INTs.
For me, the INT numbers stand out. 5 in each season with over 3,500 passing yards and 30 TDs is impressive. Also, the number drop from 2022 to 23 doesn’t scare me much, as he attempted 112 fewer passes in 2023. When you watch Williams play with his style of throwing it all over the field, you wouldn’t think his interception numbers would be that low.
At 8-5, USC didn’t have a great record this season, but that’s hardly Caleb Williams’ fault, as their defense was a sieve all season. Despite this, Caleb still put the team on his back and produced huge numbers. He will be the 1st overall pick of the NFL Draft, though who that is to is still up in the air as the Bears have the 1st overall pick, and Justin Fields is currently at QB.
Whichever team drafts Caleb Williams is inconsequential to me; he’s going to be a star in the league regardless of the landing spot. He’s the type of quarterback that can make average wide receivers look like studs and stud wide receivers look like gods among men.
Drake Maye (QB – UNC)
Maye will most assuredly be the second quarterback off the board come NFL draft time, and that could come as early as the second overall pick. I can’t see him going anywhere past the third pick, as Marvin Harrison Jr could be selected second.
Maye is a towering 6’4″ and weighs 229 lbs. He’s also surprisingly nimble for his size, as he’s able to use his legs to escape the pocket and cause trouble more than you’d think for such a big man. He finished 2023 with 3,608 yards, 24 TDs, and 9 INTs. Less accurate than Caleb, but similar numbers. Maye, like Caleb, also regressed a bit from last season when he went for 4,321 pass yards along with 38 TDs and 7 INTs. Going for 14 fewer TDs and two additional INTs is slightly concerning.
However, you can’t go wrong in drafting Drake Maye. He’s a future star and should take over the league from day 1.
Conclusion
Both these guys are future studs in the league and will undoubtedly get the draft capital to reflect that. I’m taking Caleb Williams because his playing style reminds me of Patrick Mahomes. I think he has a higher ceiling than Drake Maye, though Maye may have a safer floor. Invest in both with confidence, but if you’re sitting with the 1.1 pick in a Superflex rookie draft, you’re taking Caleb Williams.
Thanks for reading! Any questions/positive feedback/negative feedback/whatever, I can be found on Twitter @DynastyPatrolHQ #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding #AlwaysBeScouting #DynastyFootball #NFL #NFLTrades #NFLDraft #NFLInjuries #PlantYourFlag
