This week it was announced that USC quarterback Caleb Williams, widely predicted to be the top overall draft pick this April, will enter the NFL without an agent, as reported by Mike Florio of NBC Sports. While it’s not completely uncommon for NFL players to negotiate new deals without representation, it’s a bit unusual for a potential top pick like Williams.
In recent times, we’ve seen defensive players such as Richard Sherman, Bobby Wagner, and more recently Roquan Smith negotiate contracts without agents. In a similar vein to Williams, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson navigated both the draft process and his initial contract extension without an agent.
Although Jackson was picked 32nd overall, Williams is expected to go much earlier in the draft. This means Williams will likely secure a significantly larger deal for himself compared to Jackson’s rookie contract. However, rookie contracts have limitations on how they can be structured, so there may not be much room for error in Williams’ negotiations.
Florio believes that the absence of representation could present challenges for Williams leading up to the draft. He suggests that agents representing other quarterbacks or draft prospects aiming to surpass Williams as the top pick may try to discredit him in order to promote their clients. Without representation, Williams may lack someone to counteract these negative tactics.
Additionally, here are some other recent rumors regarding the 2024 NFL Draft:
- It has been reported that Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean will not be participating in the testing at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic. DeJean is recovering from a leg injury sustained late in the season and plans to work out for teams closer to the draft in April.
- Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton will also be sitting out the Combine as he continues to recover from a foot injury. Newton underwent surgery in January to repair a Jones fracture and is expected to be cleared in time for a pro day in April.