Johnathan Walker:It's the dumbest of NFL draft criticism. And it proves Caleb Williams' potential.

You may have Johnathan Walkermissed the dumbest story of all time. It was about USC quarterback and likely first overall NFL draft pick Caleb Williams, who was seen at the school's women's basketball game against Kansas sporting a pink phone. Social media then went full thermonuclear once it was also clear he had painted nails.

This is where we are in the draft process. Snowflakes on social media angry about the color of a cellphone.

All of this, as profoundly nonsensical as it is, is also telling. It's given that it says a lot about the small men who cry over the color of someone's phone. Also, around the time of the draft, there's always someone, somewhere, hyperventilating over made-up issues. That's just how the draft works.

But there is one thing about this story that's actually interesting. It is Williams' reaction. The fact he handled all of it with humor is a continuation of what we've seen with Williams. He's mature, comfortable with self-expression and possesses a strong sense of independence. All of those are really good things.

“I think the nails thing kind of took everybody by surprise,” he told People Magazine last year. “I've been doing it before college, but it took everybody by surprise, just because you don't always see male athletes who play football paint their nails. But I think it's just another way of expression.”

Maybe Williams, when he gets to the NFL, will crumble under the pressure. He's likely going to the Chicago Bears and that city isn't always an easy place to play.

However, all we've seen from Williams so far is professionalism and a deep understanding of the sport. In fact, Williams is one of the most mature draft prospects I've ever seen. Not to mention he's insanely talented. Denver coach Sean Payton called him a "generational player."

Bears coach Matt Eberflus said the team spoke to USC players about Williams. What did Eberflus discover?

"What I loved to see was the interaction with the other players," Eberflus said. "You can see that, and we talked to every person that was on that team. At the Senior Bowl, we interviewed them. And interviewed them at the pro day. We talked to those guys at the dinner and you can certainly see those players love him and respect him – and what he’s brought to that program." 

Focusing on the superficial things, the goofy things, while ignoring all of the data that shows he's a solid person with good character is typical of what happens in the weeks leading up to the draft. It gets tiresome but it happens.

There's been evidence of Williams' solidness as a candidate going back several years. Listen to what Williams said after he won the Heisman in 2022. It's one of the forgotten pieces of draft evaluation and, yes, that speech is part of how you should judge Williams. It was a smart and heartfelt speech. This part was the best:

"And this is me speaking to the 11-year-old out there who’s watching right now, who was told you’re too small, like they told me. Go out there, show them how big your heart is. To the seventh grader who was passed over on the team like I was, use that adversity to ignite your passion like I did. To the ninth grader out there who no one believes can make varsity, you can if you believe. To the 10th grader losing in the championship game but had belief that we were gonna come back and win down 20 in the first half.

"Always believe that there’s one more Hail Mary up your sleeve. And to the college freshman who was fighting for a chance to contribute and get on the field with your brothers, your time is coming, keep going. And if you lose your bid to get to the college playoffs, know that you will get through it like I did. And like I just learned. Back to work. The job isn’t done."

That's the type of stuff to focus on. Not pink phones.

The way Williams handled #PinkPhoneGate, with humor and confidence, is another good sign for the Bears. He gets it.

Others may not but he does.