Caleb Williams tops new NFL Draft 2024 consensus Big Board

Many, if not most, pundits believe USC quarterback Caleb Williams is going to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.

It makes sense, too. Williams is a former Heisman Trophy winner and the Chicago Bears, who have the top pick, just traded away Justin Fields. The opportunity is there for the Bears to pick the top quarterback on the board, and most seem to think that's Williams.

In terms of overall talent, though, it's worth noting that The Athletic just dropped a consensus Big Board for the 2024 NFL Draft and Williams is its top player as well — regardless of position.

Sometimes, and often, it's the case where a defensive end or offensive lineman is really the most talented overall player but a quarterback ends up going first or second overall because the need for elite quarterbacks is so high in the NFL.

As far as this big board is concerned, Williams is considered the top NFL prospect even ahead of potential superstar wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State or the likes of 6-foot-8, 315-pound offensive tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame. He's even higher than Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who may be the best overall athlete in the class

The top 10 in this big board looks like this.

1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC 
2. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State 
3. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina 
4. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU 
5. Rome Odunze, WR, Washington 
6. 6. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia 
7. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame 
8. Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama 
9. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU 
10. Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

As you can see, it's clearly a talented offensive group — with only two defenders in the top 10 — and Williams is far from the only quarterback. Some scouts may even favor Maye, and it's hard to deny that Daniels isn't intriguing after his Heisman season at LSU in 2023.

Ultimately, Williams appears to be the most prototypical star in today's NFL, though, which is clearly why The Athletic favors him over everyone else.