USC Football: Caleb Williams May End Up Favoring Specific Team Throughout Draft Process

Will Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning?

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams has been the talk of the NFL Draft, despite not throwing at the NFL Combine. He is projected to be taken with the first overall pick by many, but it remains to be seen which team will land him.

The Chicago Bears currently own the first pick, but there has been talk about them moving down in the draft. The Washington Commanders own the second pick, and they could easily move up to ensure they select the player they covet.

Williams is a different kind of player because he does come with some off-the-field concerns for teams. There had been some thought that Williams could force his way to a specific team, but he shut that down fairly quickly. 

However, some still believe he was just saving face and could make things happen behind the scenes.

"Regardless of what Williams told ESPN or said during his combine media session about playing for the Bears, one league source familiar with Williams said that there should be some concern that he and his father, Carl, could become infatuated with the idea of playing for the Washington Commanders as the long pre-draft process plays out."

Per Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic

In recent memory, we have seen some players refuse to go to a team in the draft. Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning did this in 2004 when he refused to play for the San Diego Chargers and forced his way to the New York Giants.

Williams may not be willing to take that route, but playing for his hometown team has to entice him. All he has to do is tell the Bears that he would rather play for the Commanders, and a move likely gets done.

“He’s a Washington kid,” the league source said. “It’s his home.”

Per Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic

The biggest issue with doing something like this is that it adds even more pressure onto a player. If he fails to succeed with Washington, he will be scrutinized like no other.

It would be a gamble by Williams, but this is his career after all. We have a long way until draft night, but this will certainly be a topic of discussion going forward.