As Liberty QB Malik Willis shines, these 5 NFL teams should have him on their radar

Almost one year after announcing themselves on the national stage, Malik Willis and the Liberty Flames return to the Carrier Dome to take on Syracuse. Much has changed since that upset victory over the Orange, and much will change in the next 12 months. The Liberty QB’s electric start to the season has the football world buzzing about his NFL Draft potential. Despite this, Willis isn’t allowing himself to be drawn into the hype.

“When you focus on the past, you end up depressed. When you focus on the future, you end up anxious. You’ve just got to stay in the moment.”

Malik Willis thriving with NFL future in the spotlight

The Liberty QB is answering media questions ahead of a Friday night game that will have multiple NFL scouts in attendance. Willis is humorous, smiling, and calm, focused on the challenge that lies ahead. Last year’s win — the past — doesn’t matter. If he cares that he’s being evaluated on Friday night — the future — he doesn’t show it. Willis is in the moment.

Yet, it’s Malik Willis’ play in this moment that is shaping the future.

The past, of course, has its place in his story. If Liberty doesn’t beat Syracuse, if Willis doesn’t lead them to victory over Virginia Tech, if they don’t beat Coastal Carolina in the Cure Bowl, then the former Auburn transfer potentially doesn’t appear on the national radar.

However, in a murky 2022 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks, the current form of the Liberty QB is commanding attention. While the likes of Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell have stumbled and faltered at times this season, Willis has been imperious. As Rattler regresses to the worst elements of his summer scouting report, the Liberty QB has improved on the areas of concern, such as decision-making and turnovers.

Impressive numbers, more remarkable performances

There isn’t a passer in this class through Week 3 of the college football season whose play captivates while encapsulating what the NFL is looking for at the next level.

Willis has racked up 613 passing yards, averaging a career-high 8.9 yards per attempt, while throwing 7 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. Meanwhile, his dual-threat ability has been on full show, rushing for 225 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and 4 touchdowns.

The numbers are impressive; there’s no escaping that. However, the performances behind the numbers are helping Willis solidify his standing as one of the premier passers in this class. From his first pass (a touchdown strike against Campbell) to several obscene downfield shots against Old Dominion, the Liberty QB makes NFL-caliber throws every week.

Furthermore, he’s demonstrating creativity and mobility with his legs far greater than any other quarterback in the class. If the NFL is looking for a quarterback with the arm talent to drive the ball downfield while extending plays à la Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson, they’re looking at Willis. And be under no illusion, they are looking at him.

5 teams who should have Liberty QB Malik Willis on their radar

Willis may be trying to keep in the moment. However, multiple NFL scouts will descend on the Carrier Dome on Friday night. Although there are 2022 NFL Draft prospects on both teams, there’s no escaping the fact that all eyes will be on the Liberty QB. 

At this moment in time, which teams should have Willis on their radar?

Houston Texans

If one NFL team were to sum up the murkiness of the 2022 NFL Draft quarterback conundrum within their own four walls, it would be the Houston Texans. Despite Tyrod Taylor providing an unexpected offensive spark and the selection of Davis Mills in the third round just a few months ago, the uncertainty of the Deshaun Watson situation ensures that they’re a prime candidate to be in the QB market next spring.

Willis’ ability to conjure up magic with his legs fits the mold of recent Houston quarterbacks. Before the injury, Taylor already had 55 yards and a touchdown on the ground this season. During his four years in Houston, Watson has 1,677 rushing yards at 5.5 yards per carry and 17 touchdowns.

Detroit Lions

After 12 years with Matthew Stafford as the face of the franchise, the Detroit Lions could be in the quarterback market in the 2022 NFL Draft. While Jared Goff has a Super Bowl appearance on his résumé from his time with the Rams, you can’t convince me that he’s the long-term future under center.

The Lions are currently favored to be selecting first overall next April. Furthermore, they have two first-round selections in the 2022 NFL Draft. With a convenient “out” in Goff’s contract in 2023, it would be the perfect time to secure a quarterback for the future without the pressure to start him immediately.

Stafford was beloved in Detroit because of his ability to hoist the ball downfield with his cannon arm. Willis would provide that arm talent while adding a wrinkle into the Lions’ ground game.

Denver Broncos

Even while Patrick Surtain II is securing insane interceptions in just his second game, there’s an element of the Denver Broncos’ fan base that is outraged that the franchise passed on Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft.

In a way, you can understand the uproar. Drew Lock is done in Denver. And although Teddy Bridgewater has exceeded expectations during a 2-0 start, is he really the heir to Peyton Manning?

When you have the opportunity to find the face of the franchise, you have to take it. Willis combines the arm strength of Lock with the mobility of Bridgewater. Imagine him evading Joey Bosa or going toe to toe with Patrick Mahomes twice a year in AFC West play.

Atlanta Falcons

As one draft class follows the other, there are inevitable comparisons made between the two. This is especially true when a historic quarterback class paves the way for, shall we say, something less certain. However you feel about comparisons — I, for one, am not a fan — they are, like the changing of the seasons, inevitable. 

An early and frequent comparison for Willis is Trey Lance. You can see where it comes from in the same lazy way people compare Mac Jones and Tom Brady. Both are strong-armed, dual-threat quarterbacks who have played their college football at “smaller schools.”

The Atlanta Falcons were repeatedly linked to Lance last draft cycle. While it transpired that Kyle Pitts was their target all along, there’s no smoke without fire. There is also no escaping “Father Time.” Matt Ryan is in the twilight of his career, and Willis could well be his replacement. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 2 defeat to the Las Vegas Raiders, a reflective Ben Roethlisberger told the assembled media that he must play better. “Big Ben” will turn 40 at the end of his current one-year deal, and there’s only so much getting better left in him. 

Roethlisberger’s days of booming the ball downfield are behind him. Through Week 2 of the NFL season, he sits near the bottom of the NFL in completed air yards and differential between intended and completed air yards. Battered and beaten, this season will likely be the final bow.

At 6’1″ and 215 pounds, Willis doesn’t fit the current archetype of the Steelers’ QB room. Roethlisberger is 6’5″ and 240 pounds. Mason Rudolph measures at 6’5″ and 235 pounds. Even Dwayne Haskins is 6’4″ and 230 pounds.

And yet, Roethlisberger’s scouting report coming out of Miami (OH) has an eerie familiarity to the Liberty QB’s profile. 

“Has a great arm and can make all the throws, including an accurate deep ball with superb timing. Highly instinctive and creative — can make things happen when the play breaks down, improvises very well, and makes it hard for tacklers to bring him down.”