Are Generational Quarterbacks Truly Generational?
Photo by Michael Reaves from Getty Images
The USC Trojans came into this season with national title expectations, regardless of what Lincoln Riley is now trying to say.
After all, they barely missed out on it last year and had the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams as a part of the squad.
Now, they’re 6-2 with two difficult games coming up and pretty much all hopes of the title are done.
It doesn’t help that Caleb Williams, in those two losses against two good defenses, wasn’t tremendous.
There are also some questions about his personality as well.
This has sparked a whole conversation about his draft status, which is foolish.
He’s got everything you want. Size, arm strength, accuracy, mobility. He’s a generational talent.
The question is, does that matter in the NFL?
Generational Talents Elsewhere
Let’s start with other big 4 US sports.
The NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL all have drafts.
In certain years, there are clear cut favorites. Clear cut number 1 picks and there’s no point even discussing anybody else.
Let’s start with baseball, as there really haven’t been many talents we consider generational there, but there was one big one for the Washington Nationals in the name of Bryce Harper.
Harper was on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 16 years old, and there was no question that he’d be the top pick.
He was, and he’s lived up to it, specifically in October where he continues to put up big numbers in the postseason.
There’s also Stephen Strasburg and Adley Rutschman, who were consensus number 1s but weren’t children superstars like the rest, so I’m not counting them specifically.
In the NBA, there is of course LeBron James, who I don’t think I need to explain much about.
There’s also Zion Williamson, who has not lived up to the expectations so far, and Victor Wembanyama, who literally just got drafted and has not played an NBA game yet, so the jury is still out on him.
In the NHL, Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid have done nothing but be absolute superstars in the pros, and Connor Bedard who, like Wembanyana, just got drafted this year.
He looks very good so far, though.
The main point is this. Twins fans love Byron Buxton, but if you offered them Bryce Harper instead, 10 out of 10 fans say yes.
If you went back to 2007 and asked Wizards fans if they’d trade Gilbert Arenas for LeBron James, 10 out of 10 fans say yes.
If you went back to 2010 and asked Chicago Blackhawks fans if they’d trade Patrick Kane for Sidney Crosby, 10 out of 10 fans say yes.
All the other players I mentioned are absolutely excellent, but any sane fan understands that what you’d get in return is otherworldly.
They are worth the moniker of generational talent.
Generational Quarterbacks
And this is where the difference comes in.
Let’s go over 21st century generational NFL QBs.
Andrew Luck was the consensus pick a whole year before he even left Stanford. “Suck For Luck” was popular around the whole league.
Then, there was Trevor Lawrence, who many said would be the number 1 pick easily if he left Clemson after a freshman, but he wasn’t allowed to.
So, let’s think about this.
Ask a Falcons fan in the mid 2010s if they’d trade Matt Ryan for Andrew Luck.
Some would say yes, but I’m sure many would say no.
And today, I bet Bills fans would rather have Josh Allen than Trevor Lawrence.
Does this mean Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence are bad or haven’t lived up to expectations?
Not at all. Both of them are absolutely amazing.
The point is, the gap between a “generational QB” and a “talented QB” is a lot less than in other sports.
Which brings us back to the main question.
Would I Draft Caleb Williams First Overall?
This one is actually easy to me.
No, I wouldn’t.
I know. That sounds crazy.
But think of the upcoming NFL draft class for quarterbacks.
Drake Maye from UNC is excellent. Michael Penix Jr. from Washington is having an outstanding year as well.
Look at the current NFL divisions.
How many divisions is the best quarterback the one who was taken highest overall?
By my counts, the AFC South is with Trevor Lawrence.
The other three are the NFC East, which is Jalen Hurts who was taken in the 2nd round, and the NFC North and South with Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield, who were both taken first overall but are now on the 2nd and 4th team respectively.
Quarterbacks are hit or miss in the NFL, but people are so pigeon held by the phrase “generational” that there is no other possible option.
Mark my words.
If the Bears get the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, they’d be better off taking Marvin Harrison Jr. first overall and another quarterback later in the draft, or seeing what Justin Fields can do with MHJ.
Caleb Williams might be excellent in the NFL.
But he is not irreplaceable.
