Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears, Round 1, Pick 1
Caleb Williams was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the first pick of Round 1, according to Adam Schefter.
Fantasy Football Impact for Caleb Williams Chicago Bears
There was very little surprise when the Chicago Bears turned in a card with Caleb Williams' name on it. Billed as a generational talent and drawing comps to the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes II, Bears fans hope that Williams will be the quarterback they've spent nearly a century looking for.
Few quarterbacks selected first overall have landed in a spot as comfortable as Williams just did. He'll have an elite duo of wide receivers in D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. Cole Kmet has quietly come on as a reliable pass-catcher in recent years. A backfield consisting of D'Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, and Roschon Johnson should keep defenses honest. And after the addition of Montez Sweat last year, the Bears' defense jumped from formidable to borderline elite.
Caleb Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, has all the skills you want to see in a modern-day quarterback. He's got a huge arm and a sturdy frame. And although his highlight reel is littered with outstanding off-script plays, there is plenty of evidence that he can also stand in the pocket and play within an offensive structure. As for his rushing ability, he isn't in the same tier as Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts. But rushing for 400-600 yards is in his range of outcomes, raising his fantasy football floor and ceiling. His ability to find creases and break tackles is one of his most underrated traits. If that skill from college can translate to green-zone touches in the NFL, he can quickly find himself in the conversation for weekly QB1 consideration.
The Bears have famously never had a quarterback pass for 4,000 yards in a single season. Five rookies have hit that mark in NFL history: C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert, Jameis Winston, Andrew Luck, and Cam Newton. Can Caleb Williams be next on that list? The Bears certainly hope so.
The Fantasy Football Fallout
A tepid Chicago pass attack under Justin Fields and Luke Getsy over the last few years is expected to improve dramatically with Caleb Williams and Shane Waldron. Of course, that should be good news for DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. However, the other side of the coin is that rookie quarterbacks historically struggle to support multiple pass-catchers. For Moore and Allen to eclipse 1,000 yards each, Williams would have to do something no quarterback has ever done. The likeliest scenario is that one of these receivers needs to come up short of his projection.
Moore and Allen have different skill sets, and it's tough to gauge who will be the team's WR1. While Moore is certainly a more dynamic player at this point in their respective careers, Allen's knack for getting open immediately off the line should bode well for Williams' early-career development. Last year, Keenan Allen was third in target share last year, and Moore was 11th. Moore was fifth in air yards share, and Allen was 11th. They operate at different levels of the field and should benefit one another. But the biggest winner from this elite duo is undoubtedly Caleb Williams.
From a dynasty standpoint, Moore and tight end Cole Kmet are under contract for at least the next two seasons. Expect their chemistry to develop even more going into 2025. Allen has an "old-man game" that should translate into his current age-32 season, but it's hard to see much of an impact beyond this season.
Stock Watch
Risers
Fallers
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Overview
Caleb Williams is a phenomenal and productive prospect who lands in an ideal situation for a rookie quarterback. While a plethora of offensive skill players may make their production a bit volatile, Williams could easily find himself as an immediate contributor in fantasy football.
For more information on the 2024 NFL Draft, check out the Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide, where you can read about Caleb Williams and other rookie team fits.
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Rachel Tootsiepop