NFL Rumors: Caleb Williams to Meet with Jets, Giants, Raiders, Patriots, More Teams

Doric SamFebruary 28, 2024

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

USC quarterback Caleb Williams has long been considered a lock to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, but that won’t stop him from speaking to teams further down the draft order.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that in addition to meeting with the Chicago Bears, who own the No. 1 pick via the Carolina Panthers, Williams will also meet with the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings this week during the NFL Combine.

It makes sense that Williams will keep himself busy with a slew of meetings, as he will not do any testing or on-field work during the combine. He also will be representing himself in each meeting, as it was reported last week that he will be going through the draft process without an agent.

In the latest mock draft, B/R’s NFL Scouting Department predicted that the Commanders will trade up from the No. 2 spot to select Williams with the top pick. Williams recently told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that he will be satisfied with whichever team chooses him.

“If I get drafted by the Bears, I’ll be excited. If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I’m just as excited,” he said. “Speaking about Chicago, they have a talented team, a talented offense and defense. For anyone to be in that situation, I think they’d be excited.”

Many have regarded Williams as a generational prospect, so there’s a likelihood that his meetings this week will intrigue other teams in need of a franchise quarterback to explore the possibility of trading up in the draft order.

While the Bears have yet to commit to their current quarterback Justin Fields, the amount of assets they would be able to accumulate in a potential trade for the No. 1 pick won’t be easy to ignore.