The 2024 NFL draft class featured six current starting quarterbacks, three of which have at least reached a conference title game, but there’s one signal caller that stands out among the rest, according to FOX Sports’ Nick Wright.
On a recent episode of “First Things First,” Wright said Caleb Williams will end up being the premier quarterback of his draft class, pointing to his arm strength and recent postseason performances as defining traits heading into year three.
“I think Caleb has maybe the strongest arm in the league,” Wright said. “Certainly a top three arm strength. I also do value that I thought Caleb played some of his best ball in the playoffs, and I thought Drake played very poorly.
Wright assigned Williams 45% of the likelihood to emerge as the top quarterback in the class, placing him ahead of Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who both have reached a conference title game and Super Bowl, respectively.
While Maye claimed 40% percent of Wright’s projections, Daniels received 13% and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix had a 2% chance to be the best quarterback in the class, according to Wright.
“I think the other three guys’ raw talent is so much higher and Caleb and Drake are also so much younger that I think there’s more of an upside there,” Wright continued. “Jayden Daniels. I am legitimately concerned about his long-term viability with that style and frame. It has been a consistent take. All that’s ever been done is proven right. We’ll see how this year goes.”
In Wright’s breakdown, Williams holds a distinct physical advantage over his peers when operating outside the pocket. Beyond having raw arm strength, Wright cited Williams’ ability to run as a key difference between him and Maye.
“I think [Williams] is a better runner, I think he has a stronger arm,” Wright said before acknowledging Maye finished with more rushing yards than Williams last season. “If you’re asking me who is more dangerous as a runner, I think it’s Caleb.”
As Williams, Maye, Nix and Daniels move forward in their respective careers, their performances will continue to be compared to one another until someone is able to prove they’re the best of the class on the gridiron.
