You still won’t find universal confidence in the 2022 NFL Draft‘s quarterback class. But if some of the latest 2022 NFL Mock Drafts have shown us anything, it’s that Liberty QB Malik Willis is steadily building himself up through the offseason. Could he end up being the top QB off the board?
NFL Mock Draft 2022: PFN’s top consensus landing spots
Earlier in the season, especially during low points at Liberty, Willis was mocked as low as the mid-second round. Now, however, after embarking on a strong offseason, he’s gaining steam as the favorite to take advantage of an uncertain QB class. The mock drafts help display this progression.
In his four-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft released on February 26, PFN Draft Analyst Oliver Hodgkinson mocked Willis to the Denver Broncos at ninth overall, pairing the talented passer with new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. On the surface, Denver could be in the market for a veteran. But Willis’ sheer physical traits give them an avenue through which to win early, with a strong weapons corps and defensive cast.
PFN Draft Director Cam Mellor took things one step further in his one-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft a couple of days later, sending Willis to the Panthers at sixth overall. The outlook wouldn’t be as promising in Carolina, with a roster and coaching staff both rife with uncertainty. But it shows how high demand could be for a talent of Willis’ caliber.
PFN Lead NFL Analyst Dalton Miller had Willis slide slightly in his 2022 NFL Mock Draft in early March, but Willis was still the first QB picked. Miller sent Willis to Washington, where he’d have solid support early on. The landing spots varied somewhat, but the consensus opinion seems to be that Willis is most likely to be the first QB off the board.
Where does Malik Willis land on other draft boards?
The PFN Draft team has the belief that Willis is trending toward being the first QB taken. And by extension, he could be a top-10 pick off of positional value. However, that sentiment is not shared on a universal level.
In his latest mock draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper had Willis fall to Mike Tomlin and the Steelers at pick No. 20. Willis was the second QB taken in that mock, behind Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett, who went to the Washington Commanders.
Similarly, fellow ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay also had Willis go to the Steelers in his latest mock draft. That match, in particular, has been a common one. Tomlin was seen speaking with Willis for an extended period of time at the Senior Bowl.
While the range of potential landing spots still varies for Willis, he’s essentially viewed as a first-round lock at this point. At times during the season, that wasn’t the case. But by now, the principle that traits are worth investing in has taken over.
Will Malik Willis’ draft stock change after his NFL Combine performance?
As of now, Willis is viewed as an early-to-mid first-round pick. He can only slide so far with his physical talent. He opted not to test at the NFL Combine and only threw the ball. But that lack of testing won’t negatively affect his stock. There’s a chance Willis runs at his pro day. Even without it, we already know how dynamic he is. We already know how strong his arm is.
If Willis’ NFL Combine performance did affect his stock, it won’t be known to us. It will be known, however, by NFL teams who met with him and made those changes themselves. All it takes is a couple of teams to fall in love with Willis, and a bidding war could drive his price into the top-10 range. Seeing how well he’s come across in interviews, those chances are running higher and higher.
But in any class, and with this QB class especially, no one truly knows what’s going to happen.
