When Bryce Young was dangling as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears had an easy choice. 

It was only two years prior that they had selected Justin Fields as the future of the franchise, and the sophomore was fresh off the second-best quarterback rushing season in league history. 

But the decision to trade the first selection to the forlorn Carolina Panthers for a lucrative package would ironically put Chicago back in the same position a year later.

Things now appear significantly more uncertain after an up-and-down campaign, and Caleb Williams is no Bryce Young.

Williams has established himself as the most complete quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck over the course of three seasons at Oklahoma and USC.

Even despite an average USC record, Williams showcased his generational skill by throwing for more than 3,600 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Chicago has another decision to make.

Whether it sticks with Fields and trades the pick for another haul of premium assets or not, it’s tough to imagine anyone else going off the board first other than Williams. 

With that said the Washington Commanders’ pick at No. 2 becomes a bit more unclear.

The Commanders are in need of everything, but this is the most crowded quarterback class since 2018, which produced Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. 

So it’s tough to imagine a scenario in which they take Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. instead, albeit the instant splash he’ll make atop anyone’s depth chart.

Of course, there’s the possibility Washington is the team to trade up with Chicago, but whether it is willing to pay an arm and a leg (no pun intended) for Williams remains to be seen. 

It’s a costly price with the talents of Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels available.

Mock drafts start to diverge at No. 2, with the majority consensus landing on Maye to Washington; he’s the -160 favorite at FanDuel.

The 6-foot-4 gunslinger out of UNC is also hot off of a season in which he exceeded 3,600 passing yards.

He’s been compared to Justin Herbert with excellent arm strength that he uses to thread needles into tight-window targets. 

The only question is whether that kind of acumen is the right fit for this Commanders team.

Not that I’m comparing the talent level, but Sam Howell — another UNC alum — reflects a similar profile. 

His first year as Washington’s starting quarterback featured a high volume of air yards, but he led the league with 21 interceptions due to reckless decisions, a below-average receiving corps, and a flaky offensive line.

For all that Maye brings to the pocket as an electric arm talent, he can fall victim to questionable interceptions while trying to save a play. 

The Commanders had been a product of negligent ownership for years.

With a new group taking the reins over the past year, we can expect cleanup efforts to be made, but it won’t happen in a snap. 

Building the right group around whoever new GM Adam Peters selects at No. 2 will be a slow burn, but you can’t have a Bryce Young situation. 

It’s not to say Maye wouldn’t succeed in Washington or that he isn’t the player scouts expect him to be.

The Commanders could target a different type of breed they’ve yet to have under center.

Daniels is touted for his burst, agility and speed.

He’s creative when throwing outside the pocket and has dangerous scrambling abilities.

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The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU also has a sharp deep ball, having accumulated more than 3,800 yards. He led college football with a 95.7 QBR and 12.2 touchdown percentage. 

While Maye is the prototypical quarterback with elite size and arm strength, he isn’t the dual threat Daniels can be.

Having an explosive rushing talent has become the hottest NFL commodity in recent drafts with players like Allen, Jackson, Jalen Hurts and even Fields wielding game-changing attributes. 

Barring a blockbuster that shakes up the dimensions of this draft, Daniels’ +170 odds makes him the only choice that provides logical comfort and solid pricing in the No. 2 overall pick market.

He’s the type of quarterback who generates extra draft value after the combine, which begins Monday, so now is a ripe time to grab him. 

PICK: Jayden Daniels to be drafted No. 2 overall +155 (FanDuel)