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5 Best Fits For QB Malik Willis In The 2022 NFL Draft

One of the most difficult things to predict in the 2022 NFL Draft is where the quarterbacks will land in the first round. Unlike in recent draft classes or some in the immediate future, there aren’t any slam dunk prospects according to scouts and analysts. Some players have first-round grades, however, such as Liberty signal-caller, Malik Willis.

Willis is arguably the most talented quarterback of this year’s class with his dual-threat ability as a rusher and passer.

He has excellent athleticism and a huge arm, which seems to be the prototypical quarterback for the modern NFL. Teams now want a guy that can not only make all the throws but create plays with his legs as well to keep the opposing defense off balance.

Willis is knocked by some people because he played at the FCS level, but there is no denying the skill that he possesses. With some developments, he has a chance to develop into a star with his raw potential and ceiling.

Which team could he land with? Here are five of the best fits for Willis in the 2022 NFL Draft.

5. Tennessee Titans

There have been some rumblings of the Tennessee Titans looking to move on from Ryan Tannehill this offseason. That is easier said than done given his contract, but if the Titans are serious about making a change, Malik Willis would make for an excellent target.

It will get easier to move on from Tannehill after this season, so he could hold onto the starting job until Willis is ready to take over. The Titans are also set up well to develop a young quarterback as they have one of the best running games in the NFL headlined by Derrick Henry and two great wide receivers in A.J. Brown and Julio Jones.

It would be a pretty big surprise if Malik Willis fell to the Titans at No. 26, so they are a long shot to land him in the draft. Alas, they would be a good fit for him at the next level.

4. Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders need an upgrade at the quarterback position. Their stopgap signing of Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t pan out last season, as he was injured in the first half of their game Week 1 and never returned to the field.

Taylor Heinicke was okay as his replacement but showed that he is better suited for a backup role than starting quarterback. This would be a good landing spot for Willis, and they would move up the rankings had they had another option to start games at the beginning of the season.

Washington witnessed firsthand what happens when a young player isn’t ready to be a starter in the NFL yet when they threw Dwayne Haskins, their first-round pick in 2019, to the fire and he flamed out.

Malik Willis is a fit for Washington, but it wouldn’t be the most ideal landing spot for him without a veteran to learn from being on the roster.

3. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers own the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and could be the first team to take a quarterback off the board. If that is the route they take, Willis would be in a solid landing spot.

Carolina has a player in Sam Darnold, who if they are unable to move in the offseason, could start until Willis is ready. The team knows he isn’t their long-term answer, but they picked up his fifth-year option and are kind of stuck with him unless a team trades for him.

The Panthers have all-world running back Christian McCaffrey, who would be a young quarterback’s best friend in the offense. Their wide receiver trio of D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson and Terrace Marshall Jr. is also one that would help develop a quarterback.

Carolina is a team well equipped to bring on and groom a quarterback selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

There has been a lot of chatter about the Pittsburgh Steelers being high on Willis. From ownership down through Mike Tomlin, they are all in agreement that Willis would be a great fit for the organization and the offense they are looking to run now that Ben Roethlisberger is retired.

Pittsburgh has Mason Rudolph on the roster, while not an inspiring long-term option, can keep the seat warm for Willis. The team could also opt to bring in a veteran with a higher floor, such as Jacoby Brissett, to be the placeholder for Willis.

The Steelers need to work on improving their offensive line in front of whoever is under center, but at least Willis has the athleticism to make plays with his legs should things break down in front of him. Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth and possibly JuJu Smith-Schuster, depending on how free agency goes, make up a great group of skill position players for a young quarterback to develop with.

The Steelers will likely have to trade up if they want the chance to select Willis but he could be worth the price.

1. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are more than okay going into another season with Matt Ryan as the starting quarterback, but going on 37-years old in May, the team needs to start putting a contingency plan in place to replace him. That could come in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Falcons are slated to select No. 8 overall. The only team ahead of them that will likely even consider a quarterback is the Panthers. So, unless a team trades up ahead of them, the Falcons are in a prime position to select Willis should they want to.

Ryan could be the starter until Willis is ready, making Atlanta a prime landing spot for him. The team is also bereft of playmakers at the skill positions, so having a veteran under center in that situation is better than having a young quarterback in need of development.

The Falcons can continue shaping the roster to fit Arthur Smith’s schemes this offseason and next offseason before potentially handing the starting quarterback job over to Willis later on in the 2022 season or 2023.

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