NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Insiders Think Bears Should Take Caleb Williams, Keep Pick

Insiders around the league believe that the Chicago Bears should keep the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft and select former USC signal-caller Caleb Williams, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"I'm not sure I've talked to one single scout or executive who doesn't think Chicago should keep the pick and draft Caleb Williams at No. 1," Fowler wrote on Saturday.

The Bears already have Justin Fields, the No. 11 pick in the 2021 draft, under contract. However, his inconsistent play combined with the opportunity to add Williams on a rookie-scale contract could entice the front office to select the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner.

Although Chicago could potentially trade down and still find a replacement for Fields such as North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye or LSU signal-caller Jayden Daniels, Williams' status as an elite prospect has led many to believe that general manager Ryan Poles will select him with the top pick.

"There's Caleb and then a pretty big gap," an anonymous high-ranking personnel executive said, per Fowler.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the "feeling around the league" seems to be that the Bears will wind up trading Fields and drafting Williams during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

Williams is widely regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 class, as Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department gave him an exceptional 9.1 prospect grade despite slotting him at No. 2 in the quarterback rankings behind Maye on the latest big board.

B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen highlighted his ability to extend plays and operate off-script in the scouting report for the 22-year-old.

"Overall, Williams is a fascinating prospect," Klassen wrote. "The arm talent oozes off the film, and he is a special playmaker when things break down. Williams is also more put together as a processor than his playing style suggests, even if he still needs work."

In 2023, Williams completed 68.6 percent of his passes for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions throughout 12 appearances.