Should Falcons Trade Up for 'Next Patrick Mahomes' Caleb Williams?

Despite it being a high bar, USC's Caleb Williams isn't shying away from the comparisons to Patrick Mahomes.

It has become commonplace for top quarterbacks in each year's NFL Draft class to draw comparisons to some of the league's top signal-callers. For the upcoming class, often projected No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams has been drawing the comparison to current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

Despite the high bar that is obviously being set for former USC Trojan, it hasn't stopped him from raising it further. 

"Everybody watches Patrick and sees all the cool things he can do," Williams said about the comparisons to Mahomes in a recent interview on CBS Sports. "I always said, even in high school, that I don't think there's anything — obviously, it's special, but I don't think there's anything that I can't do that he's doing out there."

Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes (left) and former USC Trojans' Caleb Williams (right) / Clutchpoints

It is certainly easy to see why the former 2022 Heisman Trophy winner would draw comparisons to Mahomes. Both are impressive arm talents who can make throws off-platform and create off-script. 

Despite the Trojans suffering a drop-off in their second year under coach Lincoln Riley, as they finished the season with a disappointing 8-5 record, Williams still managed to maintain his draft stock. Williams threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in 12 games before opting out of the Trojans' bowl game versus the Louisville Cardinals.

With the Atlanta Falcons' need at quarterback this offseason, as neither Desmond Ridder nor Taylor Heinicke proved to be long-term options under center, they'll undoubtedly be interested in Williams. Although, with the No. 8 overall pick, it is very unlikely that the Trojan will fall that far in the draft.

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Even if the Chicago Bears, who hold the top pick, decide to pass on a quarterback and allow Justin Fields another season as their starter, the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are projected to find their next franchise signal-callers at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

If the Falcons want any chance at the "next Mahomes," they'll have to give up a king's ransom to get him.