USC quarterback Caleb Williams is already the biggest superstar in college football and the consensus first-overall pick before a team has even claimed that top spot. And that’s with several other great talents in the class, such as Drake Maye, Shadeur Sanders, and others. However, some pro comparisons are starting to pop up for Williams, and the newest one is former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Speaking on the Dan Patrick Show, ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky broke down Williams’ game. He sees a lot of Roethlisberger in the game of Williams, specifically regarding his arm talent and ability to create off-script. Of course, that was a specialty of Roethlisberger throughout his career, and the fact that he could avoid prominent sacks made him much more challenging for teams to defend against him.
“He’s got a lot of Big Ben in his game,” Orlovksy said. “I mean you watch him, and you see that big time. Big, athletic, powerful dude. Still sloppy mechanically a little bit, but great vision, great feel. Throws a beautiful different leveled or layered football. He’s awesome at a lot of things. I think he’s a superstar in the NFL, I really do.”
As for the Steelers, there’s virtually little to no way Williams will be coming to the Steelers. However, if the Ben Roethlisberger comparisons are something you buy into, Pittsburgh could be tempted. Colin Cowherd threw out a trade he would make weeks ago for the Steelers to land Williams.
Cowherd believes the Steelers’ weak point on the roster is quarterback. It’s unknown what Kenny Pickett is, but Cowherd is leaning more out than in on him. He thinks that Pittsburgh should move heaven and earth to go up and get Williams. As talented as Williams is, Pittsburgh would have to move up to the 1st overall pick to land the talented USC quarterback. Cowherd’s proposal, as such, makes the eyes pop out of your sockets.
“If I’m Pittsburgh, I would give up Watt, 3 1st Round Picks, and Pickens for Caleb Williams. I would,” Cowherd said.
That won’t happen. But Williams is someone that does resemble Roethlisberger’s chief attributes on the field. Whichever team lands, Williams will hope that he fulfills his potential and becomes a superstar at the NFL level.