Joel Klatt Ranks Top Quarterback Prospects, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye Expected to Make Waves in NFL Draft
In the world of football, the search for the next great quarterback never ends. Every year, scouts and analysts try to identify the young gunslingers who have the potential to become the face of a franchise. And this year is no different. FOX’s Joel Klatt has taken on the task of ranking the top quarterback prospects, and his list includes two names that are expected to make waves in the upcoming NFL Draft: Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.
For over a decade, Andrew Luck has been considered the gold standard of quarterback prospects. With comparisons to legends like Peyton Manning and John Elway, Luck set the bar high for future generations. Even Robert Griffin III, with his dual-threat ability, couldn’t surpass Luck’s ranking. But now, Klatt believes it’s time for a new era.
Klatt’s rankings are based on the potential of these young players as prospects, not their actual performance in the NFL. And according to him, USC’s Caleb Williams is at the top of the list. Williams has shown incredible promise during his time at USC, and many believe he has what it takes to be a game-changer in the NFL.
Following closely behind Williams is Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, who needs no introduction. Lawrence has been on everyone’s radar since his freshman year and is widely regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks of his generation. LSU’s Joe Burrow, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, and Alabama’s Bryce Young round out Klatt’s top five.
But what makes this list interesting is that all three quarterbacks who are already in the NFL went No. 1 overall in their respective draft classes. This means that either Williams or Maye will be the first on Klatt’s list to not go No. 1 overall. It’s a testament to the talent and potential of these young quarterbacks that they are even in the conversation.
Currently, the consensus top pick for the upcoming draft is Williams. The Chicago Bears, or any team that trades up, are expected to select him. Klatt’s rankings seem to align with this sentiment, as he views Williams as a player you simply cannot pass on. In his sophomore season, Williams won the Heisman Trophy, an achievement that only three other quarterbacks in the top five have accomplished.
On the other hand, Maye is likely to be the outlier of the group. He is not expected to go No. 1 overall, and he didn’t win a Heisman Trophy. He also didn’t make it to New York City as a finalist. However, Klatt believes that whoever selects Maye will be getting one of the best quarterback prospects of the last decade-plus. It’s a bold statement, but one that highlights the immense talent and potential that Maye possesses.
As we approach the NFL Draft, all eyes will be on these young quarterbacks. Will Williams live up to the hype and become the next great quarterback in the league? Will Maye prove Klatt right and show that he is indeed one of the best prospects we’ve seen in years? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the future of the quarterback position is in good hands.