Joel Klatt ranks Caleb Williams No. 2 on 2024 draft prospects list
The 2023 NFL Draft may have just come to an end, but that isn’t stopping some analysts from already looking ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft. One of those analysts was FOX’s Joel Klatt, who released his list of the top 10 prospects for next year’s draft on Monday.
The vast majority of analysts have USC quarterback Caleb Williams ranked as their top prospect and projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But not Klatt, who zagged and revealed that Williams is actually his No. 2 prospect at the moment.
“So two is Caleb Williams, quarterback USC. Williams is the closest thing to Patrick Mahomes that we’ve seen Patrick Mahomes,” Klatt said. “Williams is lethal, normally I say for a quarterback like surgical, he’s lethal. His athletic ability, ability to throw on the run, confidence, all of it.”
Being compared to Mahomes is lofty praise for Williams, but comparing the NFL’s top quarterback to the top quarterback in college football last season isn’t too crazy, especially when watching Williams play. He proved he can extend plays and make nearly every throw on the field last year at USC, throwing for 4,537 yards and a nation-leading 42 touchdown passes along with 382 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
“Dude is as good as it gets, he would’ve been the top pick in the draft, he would’ve been the top quarterback in the draft. Caleb Williams should’ve won the Heisman, he did win the Heisman, it’s hard to explain how good the guy is,” Klatt said.
Along with winning the Heisman Trophy last season, Williams was also a Unanimous All-American selection, winning the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, and being named the Associated Press and Sporting News College Football Player of the Year.
Williams passes the eye test with his play, has the statistics to back up his game, and has the accolades to make himself the top prospect for next year’s draft. But why isn’t he regarded as Klatt’s top prospect for the 2024 Draft? Because that’s an honor he gave to an Ohio State wideout who he believes is the best wide receiver prospect since NFL Hall of Famer Randy Moss.
“The best player, I don’t have to value the prospect, so I don’t have to value position,” Klatt asid. “The best player next year is Marvin Harrison Jr.“