Ryan Leaf understands very well what it is like to be touted as the next big thing. Alongside legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, Leaf was projected by many experts to be the first pick in the 1998 NFL draft before eventually dropping to the second spot. Caleb Williams now finds himself in a similar situation with the majority of NFL analysts expecting the USC quarterback to be the first pick in 2024.
The Chicago Bears hold the first pick in the upcoming draft and there is still no clarity on whether the organization plans to trade the pick or select a quarterback. During a recent episode of the Dan Patrick show, Leaf provided his views on Williams’ potential and development to date.
“If they take him, you better be under the understanding that you are going to sit him this year,” said Leaf.
According to Leaf, however, Williams is no where near the finished product. The 22-year-old has had tremendous success at the college level but that does not guarantee results at the professional level.
“75 percent of what made him so great in college is not transferable in the NFL. Unfortunately, I don’t think he is a starting quarterback this year,” added Leaf.
Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 and followed that up with impressive numbers last year. Over two seasons with the Trojans, he has passed for 8170 yards and 72 touchdowns. The competition Williams faced on the West Coast, however, was not on par with the level in the South East Conference where a majority of the game’s top players ply their trade. It will be interesting to see how the young quarterback’s skillset transfers over to the NFL.
Ryan Leaf went on to name Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and LSU’s Jayden Daniels as two players in this year’s draft class that are mature enough to start next year.
