Caleb Williams

Jayden Daniels

Michael Penix Jr.

Quarterback Caleb Williams (left) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right)

DETROIT – In yet another draft highlighting the rise of Black quarterbacks in the NFL, the Chicago Bears chose former USC star passer Caleb Williams with the first overall selection Thursday night, and Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. also were top-10 picks.

In a long-expected move, the Bears acquired the rights of a player whom they view as a generational talent and the cornerstone of the franchise’s future success. The Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons now believe they’re also well-positioned long-term at the most important position in sports.

One pick after the Bears got Williams, the Commanders selected Daniels, the former LSU star and 2023 Heisman winner, second overall. Then in the first surprising move of the seven-round, three-day draft, the Falcons used the eighth overall pick to take Penix, who was the runner-up to Daniels in the 2023 Heisman Trophy voting.

Penix throws a picturesque deep ball and led Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship game last season, in which it lost to Michigan and finished 14-1. Largely on the strength of his outstanding pro day (he displayed elite arm talent as well as impressive athleticism), Penix shot up draft boards and was widely considered a first-round pick entering the process, NFL player-personnel officials told Andscape last week.

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Caleb Williams

Jayden Daniels