Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, most teams already had a general understanding that Caleb Williams would likely be a good quarterback at the next level. The reality was hard to deny.
However, as the latest episode of Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants showed, the Giants likely realized Williams was special during their combine interview with the young man. It was a crystallizing moment when they seemingly confirmed Williams was everything everyone already thought of the quarterback.
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As Brian Daboll tries to put Williams through the same wringer that saw Jayden Daniels struggle and Drake Maye thrive, the eventual No. 1 overall pick doesn’t blink. In fact, when Daboll asks Williams to draw up his go-to pass play — that one play where the quarterback knows he can get a completion and decent yardage no matter what — he doesn’t hesitate.
Williams immediately concocts a complex play on the whiteboard that amazes Daboll so much he harkens back to Brett Favre once spamming a similar concept to great success.
(Warning: NSFW language in the video below.)
you get ONE pass play
you have to run that ONE play EVERYTIME there is a pass play
so if there are 70 plays in a game, and 45 passes, you have to run this ONE play 45 times
know the play you want??? pic.twitter.com/2lLpYlXwi2
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) July 10, 2024
Just for posterity: This is an established offensive mastermind comparing what a rookie quarterback loves to run to a Hall of Famer’s go-to tool in his arsenal. That is not normal. Then again, Williams has shown he’s anything but normal so far. It’s not surprising.
It’s not often you see all your priors confirmed so succinctly and efficiently about a generational prospect. No wonder the Giants seemed to be so floored by Williams’ answer.