3 Potential QB targets for Seahawks in 2022 NFL Draft

Seahawks QB option no. 1: Malik Willis, Liberty

I’m going with Willis here because I believe No. 1 QB Kenny Pickett will be playing for the Panthers next year. He may not be the same prospect Wilson was coming out in the 2012 NFL Draft, but Willis looks like he’ll be drafted far sooner than the now-Broncos QB this spring.

As a dual-threat player, Willis seems to be the highest risk-reward signal-caller in the 2022 class.

After jetting from Auburn to Liberty, Willis really showed best as a runner. In 2020 (944 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs) and 2021 (878 yards, 13 TDs) he flashed those legs, as he resembles more of a Jalen Hurts-style of power running, rather than a true scrambler like Wilson. But don’t sleep on his scrambling ability, as he’s by far the shiftiest QB in the draft.

Willis does have a strong arm and showed he can make high-level throws from the pocket. The question now is how can continue to improve there against better competition? It’s fair to say he could really do damage, though, as he shined against Power 5 teams in his tenure with the Flames.

In games against NC State, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, and Syracuse (twice), he compiled a 3-2 record, going 79 for 126 (62.3% completion rate) with 949 passing yards, nine TD passes, and six interceptions. He also guided Liberty to No. 12 Coastal Carolina in the 2020 FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl (19 of 29, 220 passing yards, 2 INTs).

The best showing of all for Willis may be his game against VA Tech, as he torched the Hokies to the tune of 325 total yards (217 passing, 108 rushing) and four total TDs (3 passing, 1 rushing).

So how does he fit with Seattle? For starters, OC Shane Waldron should be able to use Willis in ways similar to how he used Russ this past season. Coming from the Shanahan-McVay coaching tree, pounding the rock with zone concepts and rolling out the QB will be very favorable for Willis’ skill set.

As for the passing game, any QB who comes into a squad that has D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and now Noah Fant, should be drooling over the opportunity to throw them the pill.

With Lock already mentioned as well, his presence could make this decision easier for the ‘Hawks. Although he’s raw in his own right, the former Missouri Tiger can give Willis time to develop a bit, as the latter comes in as a player who may need a little more marinating before he hits the field.