NFL mock draft season is getting more heated up as we get closer to the end of the 2023 season, with two quarterbacks — USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye — in the discussion to be the top QB taken next year.
In our first NFL mock draft, our Christian D’Andrea had Maye going first overall to the Chicago Bears and Williams to the Arizona Cardinals.
But in a new ESPN mock draft in which NFL draft analysts debated the top 10 picks at the moment, it was Williams to the Bears and Maye to the New York Giants at No. 2 — of course, this all depends on the NFL draft order, which currently has the Bears (via the Panthers trade) at No. 1 and the Giants at No. 5.
Here’s Jordan Reid’s take on why it’s Williams to the Bears, when Justin Fields is there:
If Fields does play well over the Bears’ final six games — he looked good on Sunday against the Lions — but the team continues to lose, it makes for an even more interesting decision for Poles. He has to weigh all of his options. But how can you pass up Williams?
Yes, he still has to clean up some bad habits in the pocket, but his improvisational skill and arm talent are outstanding. And his mobility and playmaking could mask a lot of the Bears’ deficiencies elsewhere. Williams ranks second in the nation in passing (3,633 yards) and has thrown 30 touchdown passes — including an FBS-leading 11 from outside the pocket.
There you have it. Don’t forget to check out D’Andrea’s latest NFL mock draft!
