The 2024 NFL Draft class, just two years in, has the chance to be one of the best in recent history in the NFL. From the run of 14 consecutive offensive players to six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks, the ongoing conversation will be the quarterbacks.
Could 2024 be up there one day with 1983, or 2004, and the best since 2018? Between Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix, Bo Nix, one has played in a Super Bowl, two in a conference championship game, and the other led his team to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and led an NFL-record seven fourth-quarter comebacks.
Two years later, outlets like CBS Sports are already having their 2024 redraft. Obviously, the Chicago Bears took Williams with the first pick, but the redraft from CBS Sports, Zachary Pereles, had the Bears redrafting and taking Drake Maye.
This is a brutally close call between Drake Maye and Caleb Williams, both of whom took massive leaps in 2025. Maye, though, was truly special, leading the NFL in completion percentage and yards per attempt en route to an MVP runner-up finish. There are still questions, as his up-and-down playoff showing revealed, but the physical tools combined with the accuracy and playmaking are a tremendous combination.
Williams in the re-draft was then taken No. 2 by his hometown Washington Commanders.
The Commanders would gladly “settle” for Williams here. He took his game to another level last year by cutting way down on negative plays — especially sacks — and improving massively as a pocket navigator and scrambler. This is his biggest advantage over Maye, who still must improve his pressure mitigation. Williams has always taken excellent care of the ball as a passer, even during his difficult rookie year, and his out-of-structure creation is jaw-dropping.
Later at No. 9, where Chicago takes Rome Odunze, CBS Sports has Chicago sticking with a wide receiver, but drafting Ladd McConkey instead.
Pairing Williams with a highly regarded wide receiver made sense. But instead of going with Odunze, in this redraft, the Bears land on McConkey, whose versatility and overall skill set have impressed through two seasons. McConkey’s 13 touchdown catches are the most of anyone in this class so far, and his 1,938 receiving yards are second.
Only time will tell how this 2024 draft class pans out, but this third season should be a good indicator of the direction of these players, including Williams and Odunze, who could be cornerstones on this Chicago roster.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears pass on QB Caleb Williams in 2024 NFL redraft
Reporting by Preston Zbroszczyk , Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Preston Zbroszczyk , Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
