Why Malik Willis will be the first QB taken in the 2022 NFL Draft
By Lucas Schuh
This QB class isn’t the strong class in the world, but of all the QBs available, Malik Willis will be the first QB taken
In the past couple of years, the NFL has seen some strong draft classes when it comes to QBs. 2020 has proven to be a good QB draft class as Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert have turned into great QBs, meanwhile 2021 has yet to be seen whether the class will be good or not, but there were plenty of highly touted QBs available.
While the 2023 NFL Draft looks like it could be good again when it comes to QBs with the likes of CJ Stroud and Bryce Young, this current class has bucked the trend. There are plenty of QBs available for teams to draft in 2022, like Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell, Matt Corrall, Carson Strong, and the aforementioned Malik Willis, but they all have some noticeable flaws.
While they all come with some flaws, it appears that Willis has managed to separate himself from the others.
Malik Willis should be the first QB off the board in 2022 NFL Draft
Before we dive into why exactly Malik Willis will be the first QB to be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, let’s dive into his college career. Before Willis landed in Lynchburg, Virginia, with Liberty, he started his college in Auburn, Alabama with well, Auburn.
According to 247 sports, Willis was a 3-star prospect from Atlanta, Georgia, which makes sense why he would land with Auburn. Willis didn’t last long at Auburn as he would transfer to Liberty after two seasons. Willis listed his reason for leaving Auburn in an interview on NFL.com, in which he said “I was so immature.”
When Willis landed with Liberty, we finally got to see what he was all about. I know talking about draft prospects always has a bit of hyperbole, but Willis has an absolute rocket launcher for a right arm. There is usually at least a couple of throws a game from Willis where you go “holy crap” just because of his raw arm talent.
Willis also is a ridiculous athlete with his feet. No, he didn’t run a 40-yard dash but just looking at his game tape, he has shown real dynamism with his legs.
Like many QBs who are ridiculous athletes and can throw absolute piss missells, Willis has somewhat of an accuracy and consistency issue. Due to these issues, there have been a decent amount of plays where you have no idea what just happened, and not in a good way. Willis also has some issues in the pocket as he likes to flee the pocket a little too early at times.
Going into the combine, there wasn’t a true standout QB from the draft, that was until Malik Willis. Like I said previously, Willis didn’t compete in the 40-yard dash, but what really helped out his case was his ability in the throwing portion and his time in the interview process. According to multiple reports, Willis blew teams away in interviews with his intelligence. At the Senior Bowl, Willis had a similar performance.
Outside of his talent, the other thing that helps Willis’s case is the recent development of more toolsy QBs. Looking back at more recent drafts, most of the QBs who have turned into quality players have been guys like Mahomes, Josh Allen, Kyler Murray, and Justin Herbert, all of which are more toolsy guys.
Of course, Joe Burrow has bucked this trend and so has Mac Jones so far that is. But the fact that so many QBs who have developed into quality players have been QBs like Willis can only help his case.
Since the combine, there have been more mock drafts having Malik Willis as the first QB taken in the draft, with some even having him going to the Detroit Lions at number 2. While I’m not sure if Willis will go that high in the draft, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him go top 10.
With the arm talent he has, the impressive performance he’s given to teams at the combine and senior bowl, and the recent development of toolsy QBs, Willis could, and likely will, see himself as the first QB taken in the draft.