$2,700,000 NIL-valued Caleb Williams would've outshined both Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow in each of their draft classes, claims anon NFL GM

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams has carved a niche for himself as one of the most talented quarterbacks in college football in the past decade.

On Friday, the comparisons came full circle when an anonymous NFL general manager claimed that Caleb Williams would have been picked before Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow.

ESPN's Matt Miller reported the GM's assertion.

"Williams would have been drafted first overall in both 2020 and 2021," the GM said. "That's no knock on either player—and they're both really good in the league—but Williams is a difference-maker. Joe and Trevor are distributors. Great ones. Caleb is a game-changer."

Trevor Lawrence was picked No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow was picked No. 1 by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020.

Trojans star Caleb Williams is also the face of college football and the beneficiary of a NIL-rich college sports environment with an On3 NIL valuation of $2,700,000.

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Experts have their say on Caleb Williams and the NFL draft

Fans have long speculated that NFL teams were tanking to be able to get the chance to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Rick Speilman, former Minnesota Vikings general manager and CBS analyst, made a shocking claim when asked whether he would pick Williams or Peyton Manning on an episode of "With The First Pick" podcast after USC played Colorado.

"Caleb," Spielman said. "Peyton was, back then, a pocket passer. That was en vogue. I give Caleb the notch up just because of the athleticism."

During an earlier episode of "Undisputed," ESPN's Skip Bayless doubted the ability of the quarterback to seamlessly transition into NFL football due to his style of play.

"Here's my one issue with Caleb. Does this style of play translate ultimately in the National Football League even though the game has changed dramatically? In the end, you do have to stand in the pocket and make some throws just the way you do," Bayless said.

Former Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel, appearing on an episode of the "Dan Patrick Show," likened Williams to an NFL great.

“I see Patrick Mahomes. I see a guy that just basically understands, certainly, the play called, but then loves to play the play that he creates by extension," Neuheisel said. "Kind of has a sixth sense of where these guys are going to end up being and can throw them open. He’s magnificent.”

Caleb's father, Carl Williams, threw the cat amongst the pigeons when he held an interview with GQ Sports and claimed that his son declaring for the 2024 draft was not a given.

"The funky thing about the NFL draft process is, he'd almost be better off not being drafted than being drafted first. The system is completely backwards," Carl Williams said. "The way the system is constructed, you go to the worst possible situation."

All the expert's opinions might be rendered moot if Caleb Williams decides to return to college football for another year instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.