NFL Mock Draft: USC QB Caleb Williams Falling to New England Patriots?

A new mock draft projects the New England Patriots to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 3 overall pick.

With the New England Patriots' loss on Sunday to the New York Giants, there is now no way for the team to avoid having a losing record for the second season in a row. While their 2-9 season has been nothing but painful to watch, there is light at the end of the tunnel in the sense they have a high NFL Draft pick. 

The Patriots currently own the No. 3 overall pick next April. They haven't selected that high since 2001, when they took Hall-of-Fame defensive tackle Richard Seymour at No. 6. For a roster obviously full of holes, where the Patriots turn is a crucial decision for the franchise.

According to the latest CBS Sports mock draft, quarterback is the position the Patriots will target as they have USC's Caleb Williams moving from Los Angeles to Foxboro. 

But how? After all, it has been projected almost unanimously that Williams will be the No. 1 overall pick. 

Nov 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) scrambles during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.  / Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

We use "almost" specifically because CBS is one of the few with the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals both turning down chances at a quarterback and improving elsewhere. Chicago is projected to take Laiatu Latu, the edge rusher from UCLA. This mock then gives Cardinals' quarterback Kyler Murray a new weapon in Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

This means the Patriots have a shot at selecting Williams and being the first team to take a quarterback, meaning their selection will be the undisputed top choice on their board. So what exactly would the Patriots get in the current Trojans' quarterback?

For starters, the Patriots would be getting a Heisman winner and a prospect many call "generational." 

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"[Williams] has an above-average arm and a natural feel for accuracy, and his ability to weaponize his creativity remains a differentiating factor between him and most quarterbacks," The Athletic's Dane Brugler writes about Williams. "Williams is fantastic at navigating chaos, but he does hold the ball too long at times. Often he has no choice, either because a defense gets immediate pressure with its front four or his receivers haven’t created separation."

It is that ability to create off-script that may prove even more enticing to the Patriots. In today's NFL, it seems to be becoming harder to win with just a standard drop-back quarterback. At some point, a quarterback needs to be able to create in "chaos," as Brugler says. Creating is what Williams will provide a Patriots offense that is currently hampered by a struggling offensive line and below-par set of playmakers.

Through 12 games this season, Williams has thrown for 3,633 yards with 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions while adding another 136 yards and 11 scores with his legs.

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