NFL Draft Notebook: Caleb Williams could be the greatest quarterback in Chicago Bears history

In this Monday's NFL Draft Notebook, our focus is on the Chicago Bears. We kick things off by examining why Caleb Williams possesses the traits to become the greatest quarterback in Bears history. Next, we review Chicago’s 2021 NFL Draft, highlighting the decisions that ultimately paved the way for the selection of Williams. Beyond the Bears, we also spotlight a running back making waves in Tampa Bay and explore a potential fit for the Miami Dolphins in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Why Caleb Williams could be the best quarterback in Chicago Bears history

Caleb Williams could very well become the best quarterback in Bears history, and his recent performance shows why I believe that. After the NFL Draft, I predicted he’d stand out as the greatest QB the Bears have ever had, and his 18 snaps against the Buffalo Bills only reinforced that belief. Williams went 4 of 7 for 95 yards, and those numbers could have been even better if not for a couple of dropped passes.

The traits that make Williams special were on full display on Saturday. His incredible playmaking ability, particularly when throwing on the run, stood out as he delivered passes with precision and strength under pressure. His vision was evident as well, like when he completed a dump-off pass to D’Andre Swift while being hit—a play that most NFL quarterbacks couldn’t make. Williams' mobility, which helped him rush for 21 touchdowns at USC, also came through when he scrambled for a key first down on Saturday.

What sets Williams up for success even more is his strong supporting cast. With three top-tier wide receivers in DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, and a reliable pass-catching tight end in Cole Kmet, Williams is surrounded by talent. Add in offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks, and the stage is set for Williams to thrive.

Leadership was a question mark for Williams coming out of USC, but he’s already winning over his Bears teammates. He’s shown himself to be a team player, supporting others both on and off the field, and he's seamlessly stepped into a leadership role.

However, there are areas where the Bears will need to help Williams improve. He has a tendency to force passes, something that nearly led to a turnover on Saturday, and his speed in going through his reads is another area that needs work. He was sacked 33 times in 2023 at USC, partly because of this issue.

Despite these concerns, Williams has the potential to be the greatest quarterback in Bears history, a franchise not exactly known for its elite QBs. To achieve that, he’ll need to stay calm under NFL pressure and let the game come to him naturally. If he can do that, the sky's the limit for Caleb Williams in Chicago.

Reviewing the Chicago Bears 2021 NFL Draft

As the Chicago Bears head into the 2024 season with optimism, it's clear that their 2021 NFL Draft was a pivotal moment in their rebuilding process. Unfortunately, that draft didn't pan out as hoped, making the subsequent rebuilding efforts, including the selection of Caleb Williams, necessary. Of the players drafted, only three remain on the roster, and just one has become a starter. On the bright side, the Bears did manage to find some value on Day 3, drafting two of the three remaining players and adding others who are still active in the NFL. Overall, I give the Bears a D grade for this draft class.

Round One, Pick 11: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

The Bears' decision to draft Caleb Williams this year stems largely from their miss on Justin Fields. Despite showing flashes of potential, Fields struggled to develop the pocket awareness and consistency needed to succeed as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Although the Bears traded the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to give Fields one more year, Fields never fully lived up to expectations, leading to his trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a Day 3 pick this offseason.

Round Two, Pick 39: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

Teven Jenkins was a pick I was skeptical about when the Bears selected him high in the second round. My concern was whether he could play tackle in the NFL, which was validated when he earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 47.5 during the 2021 season. After that season, the Bears moved Jenkins to guard, a position I had suggested might be his best fit in the NFL. Over the past two seasons, Jenkins has become one of the Bears' most reliable linemen and looks set to hold down the left guard spot for years to come.

Round Five, Pick 151: Larry Borom, OT, Missouri

The Bears found solid value in the fifth round with the selection of Larry Borom. Although he has yet to establish himself as a starter, Borom has proven to be a dependable backup, capable of playing both tackle and guard. However, with the team bolstering their offensive line through free agency and the draft, Borom's future with the Bears could be in question as trade rumors swirl.

Round Six, Pick 217: Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech

One of the best picks for the Bears in the 2021 draft was Khalil Herbert, who they snagged in the sixth round. Herbert has been a consistent contributor, rushing for over 600 yards in each of the past two seasons. Despite his production, Herbert finds himself in a tough battle this preseason, competing with Roschon Johnson for the number two running back spot.

Round Six, Pick 221: Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina

Dazz Newsome was a player both I and the Bears missed on. I had him graded as a fourth-round talent, believing his quickness and playmaking ability would make him an ideal slot receiver. Unfortunately, Newsome never made an impact in the NFL, recording just two career receptions for five yards.

Round Six, Pick 228: Thomas Graham, CB, Oregon

Thomas Graham has had a journeyman career since being drafted in the sixth round. He spent his rookie year bouncing between the Bears' practice squad and active roster, earning an impressive 90.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. However, his struggles in run support, particularly his 16% missed tackle rate, held him back. After stints with Cleveland, mostly on the practice squad, Graham is now with the Steelers, hoping to secure a roster spot as a nickel corner.

Round Seven, Pick 250: Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU

Khyiris Tonga, the Bears' seventh-round pick, is another late-round selection still active in the NFL. Though he only spent one season with Chicago, Tonga has found some success elsewhere, notably with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, where he recorded 28 tackles and four pass deflections. Now with the Cardinals, Tonga is fighting for a roster spot once again.

NFL Draft News and Notes

Irving impressing: A day three pick who has already made a strong impression on his new team is Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving, selected in the fourth round. Coaches have been impressed by his quickness and agility in the open field, with Irving already breaking off several long runs during training camp. The Buccaneers have also incorporated him significantly into the passing game in practice. These traits were evident in his game film from Oregon, where he caught 56 passes last year. In his scouting report leading up to the NFL Draft, I highlighted his quick feet and soft hands as key reasons why I named him the running back I would stand on the table for going into the 2023 season.

Speed kills: Miami Dolphins fans should keep an eye on Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten this year. He could be a great fit for the Dolphins due to his impressive speed, a trait Miami prioritizes in their running backs. Tuten runs the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, who ranked him the 40th best athlete in college football. Besides his speed, Tuten boasts good strength for an explosive back and excels as a return man, averaging 29 yards per kickoff return last year.

Limited reps: Fans were eager to see more of New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers in their preseason opener, but despite being open several times, he didn’t receive a single target during the team’s 14-3 win over the Detroit Lions. While it was disappointing that he didn't get much action on Thursday night, Nabers has already made a strong impression on the Giants’ coaches and players throughout training camp. His teammates, including wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, have praised his well-rounded game, noting his polished technique in areas like varying his releases off the line of scrimmage and consistently catching the ball with his hands. Expect Nabers to lead the team in receiving this season and emerge as a top contender for Rookie of the Year.

Top Center: Although Zach Frazier started as the second-string center for Pittsburgh behind Nate Herbig on Friday night, don't be surprised if he eventually secures the starting job. Frazier's performance demonstrated why he's likely to win the spot, showcasing impressive power and a strong grasp of the team's offense—especially impressive for someone playing their first game with the team. He earned a 72.2 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest of any Steelers lineman that night, and an overall grade of 72.2, which was 12 points higher than Herbig's 60.2.

I've been high on Frazier for the past year, naming him the center I would stand on the table for back in July of 2023, ranking him as my second-best center going into the season, despite NFL Mock Draft Database listing him as the 363rd best player in the draft at that time.

Kicker wanted: The Detroit Lions will be closely monitoring the kicker position this college football season. With former XFL star Jake Bates struggling with accuracy despite his impressive leg strength, the need for a reliable kicker is significant. Additionally, the team's other kicker, Michael Badgley, is on injured reserve and set to become a free agent after the season.

One prospect who could address this need in the 2025 NFL Draft is Boise State’s Jonah Dalmas. Last season, Dalmas hit 89% of his field goals and made four out of five attempts from beyond 50 yards. He is likely to be available late on day three of the draft.