2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
Which NFL team will be in position to take 2024 Heisman Trophy favorite Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick? In this 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal, we look at the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons as way too early favorites to land the Trojans electric quarterback.
With both teams ranked near or at the bottom of most NFL Power Rankings, the need for a franchise changing quarterback or in the case of the Cardinals, a different direction at the quarterback position could have these two teams jockeying for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, especially given the dazzling performance of Williams in Week 0.
Williams came as advertised in No. 6 USC’s 56-28 victory over San Jose State Saturday night.
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner and perceived No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft passed for 278 yards and four touchdowns in a Week 0 performance that has NFL teams drooling and maybe already thinking of tanking before the NFL season even begins.
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Caleb Williams is the real deal
Highlighted by a 76-yard touchdown bomb to Tahj Washington and a 25-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch, Caleb Williams went 18-for 25 with the 4 touchdowns and no interceptions and showed the nation why he is odds-on favorite to repeat as a Heisman Trophy winner and the prize pick for which ever NFL team lands that No. 1 overall pick.
https://twitter.com/uscfb/status/1695604268290462161
While things can quickly change in the NFL, both the Cardinals and Falcons are teams that can benefit from a talent like Williams prior to the season kicking off. Arizona has Kyler Murray, but there are already rumblings the Cardinals may be willing and ready to move on from Murray, especially if the team is out of it by Week 5 or Week 6.
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In fact, after recent trades that sent Isaiah Simmons and Josh Jones out of Arizona, there is already talk of the team tanking. In a very talented NFC West, they may not have to tank. Another losing season could put the Cardinals right in position.
As far as the Atlanta Falcons, their decision to go with Desmond Ridder as their starting quarterback makes them a team that could go in either direction. With talent like Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and emerging wide receiver Drake London, the Falcons will compete in the NFC South, but Falcons’ ownership must be already dreaming of what adding Caleb Williams could for that franchise with some nice pieces already in place.
Other teams that could be in the running include the Houston Texans who already have No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft in C.J. Stroud. The Texans could already have their man but landing the No. 1 overall pick would put them in position to cash in and land multiple picks for a team desperate to draft a quarterback.
Next. 2024 NFL mock draft: Cardinals land Caleb Williams, Brock Bowers goes top five. dark
But, if the season ended before it even started, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Mock Draft goes to the Arizona Cardinals who will select USC quarterback Caleb Williams. That will set up interesting trade rumors involving Murray who appears to be ready for a change in scenery and a fresh start with a new organization.
Let the tanking begin.