As Caleb Williams’ Draft Stock Rattles QB Market, Dan Quinn Teases Plans for Washington’s 2024 NFL Drafts

Everyone has their eyes on Caleb Williams. NFL talent evaluators who flocked to USC recently got a valuable glance at the player. Chicago Bears’ head coach Matt Eberflus, Washington Commanders’ HC Dan Quinn, GM Adam Peters, and OC Kliff Kingsbury were all present, hoping for a chance to get hold of him.

Now with the Pro Day over, Dan Quinn has opened up about his team’s position requirement in his recent talk at the annual league meeting. And his statement more or less confirms the speculations of many people. With Caleb Williams displaying more than his arm talent with his improvisational abilities, he clearly remains the potential top overall pick.

Dan Quinn reveals the Commanders’ need for a QB

After serving the Dallas Cowboys for three seasons as the DC, Dan Quinn is already taking the reins of the Commanders as the new HC. In his appearance at the annual league meeting on Saturday, he told NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero that the Commanders would potentially pick a QB with their No. 2 overall pick. Quinn said, “I would say it’d be fair to envision we’d be taking a quarterback.”

With 2023 starter Sam Howell surprisingly traded to the Seattle Seahawks last week, Mariota and Jake Fromm are currently filling the QB room in Washington.

“To say where it’ll be happening, I think that’s a better question for (general manager) Adam (Peters). As the next weeks unfold there’ll be a lot of discussion, and that’s why we’ve had a great trip out seeing some guys, we’ll do that some more in the weeks ahead, but I’ve enjoyed that process with Adam, and going through it. He’s somebody that is an absolute expert at this position, what it looks like, where to go, and so going through that process has been really cool,” Quinn added.

Now that Quinn has confirmed that their first pick would be a quarterback, they’ll have to wait for the Chicago Bears to make a move. Holding the first pick, the Bears will likely draft Caleb Williams, who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft class this year. The possibility soared even higher after the Bears addressed their QB dilemma by recently trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, after what happened at USC’s Pro Day, there is no reason any QB-deficient team wouldn’t want a leader like Williams. 

Further, Quinn said that there’s still a lot more work to do on who the Commanders will select if they decide to stick at No. 2 overall. “I still have a lot of work to do into that space… Adam’s way further ahead from going through it, but we really dug in hard on our own team, and then the free agent process. And now as we’re getting finalized and on the draft side of things, we still have more visits, people to come in, it’s been more time. So, I’d say we’re getting closer, but to say we’re there yet, not yet.” Amidst this, let’s have a look at what makes Caleb Williams the best choice.

Caleb Williams’ ability to improvise challenging scenarios adds to his credibility 

At USC’s Pro Day, Williams entered with a script that would let him throw about 50 times to three receivers. But unexpectedly, WR John Jackson couldn’t stay in the script because of a hamstring injury, leading to last-minute tweaks in the routes. How Williams handled the adjustments reaped praises from several talent seekers, including one AFC scout.

READ MORE: Colorado Buffaloes Women’s Soccer Team Teaches Shedeur Sanders and Co. A Valuable Lesson on Accountability

According to Yahoo Sports, the scout said, “All the QBs have practiced so much that… they handle change differently. Some handle it better than others. Caleb was fine. He was going with the flow. It was easy. It was about Caleb showcasing his ability to get the most out of his receivers, and I thought they did a really good job of that. So credit to him.”

While the Commanders may be interested in picking Williams, it could still be a long shot if the Bears confirm most people’s speculations. If Williams is not an option, the Commanders still have two elite QB prospects: Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. What do you think will happen?

READ MORE: Watch: Travis Hunter’s Mother’s Priceless Reaction on Receiving a New House as a Gift From Her Son: “Oh My God”