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Caleb Williams Sweepstakes: Front Runners To Land No. 1 Overall Pick

By Hunter Haas

Sep 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) reacts after a game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) reacts after a game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arizona Cardinals, Kyler Murray
Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Cardinals

Would the Cardinals actually part ways with Kyler Murray next offseason in favor of drafting Caleb Williams? Even with the dead cap attached to Murray, it will not be a surprise if the new regime elects to trade the star quarterback and restart with Williams.

A trade for Murray would be a headache to pull off, and it would require the exciting signal-caller to return to the field in 2023 at full health. Teams investing so heavily — both monetarily and with draft capital — will want to see Murray at the peak of his powers before striking a deal.

As fun as Murray is, his durability and work ethic have been constant question marks during his time in Arizona. Without the sentiment attached, new general manager Monti Ossenfort could reasonably decide to take a player that fits his culture better.

Williams is a rare prospect coming out of college. Coached by Murray’s former head coach, Lincoln Riley, the two passers resemble each other on tape. The key difference is Williams’ frame and proven leadership quality. This is not meant as a character assassination on Murray, I don’t know the guy, but where there is smoke, oftentimes there is fire.

The Cardinals made the shroud move to trade Josh Rosen only one year after taking him in the first round. His replacement was Kyler Murray. If Arizona lands the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, history might repeat itself. Who knows, maybe Murray heads to Miami as Rosen did?

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