Many people expected Malik Willis to be a first-round pick. Leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, pundits even thought he might get drafted in the top-five, as high as the Detroit Lions at No. 2.
General managers, scouts, coaches, and many of the people in draft war rooms disagreed. After almost two days, Willis lingered to the No. 86 overall pick in the third round with the Titans. Instead of being a top pick, he was among the last few prospects in the green room.
And the unfortunate slide aside: It couldn’t have worked out better for everyone involved.
Willis is a perfect fit for what Tennessee needs — a dynamic, playmaking quarterback — and Tennessee might be one of the few teams that can unlock his tremendous, if raw potential.
A quarterback with Malik Willis’ physical tools has never been available at the draft discount the Titans just received.
Huge arm. Big-time athlete. Great kid. Atrium ceiling. Just needs a year.
What an incredible steal — there is zero downside here.pic.twitter.com/xWcZamyeXI
— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) April 30, 2022
To backtrack a bit, despite putting Liberty on the map during his college career, teams most likely soured on Willis because he needs more polish as a passer. But, to me, Willis didn’t receive enough credit for what he achieved with Liberty: Most of his deficiencies were related to a haphazard offensive scheme and a lackluster supporting cast.
Another of Willis’ major knocks was how he pressed too much, which led to too many mistakes (12 picks in 2021). Which, again, he pressed because he had to literally put the team on his back far too often. There’s only so much one player can manage with the deck stacked like this against him.
Willis’ most comparable (or popular) NFL analog was Jay Cutler — who similarly had to do everything for Vanderbilt in college — and for a good reason.
For now, Willis will get all the time in the world to develop because the Titans have Ryan Tannehill. While not exactly an inspired long-term choice, Tannehill is good enough to hold down the fort while Willis bides his strength in the wings. The veteran has two years left on his contract — more than enough breathing room to allow Willis to possibly reach his potential.
The Titans will have to be patient with Willis, who has to gradually unlearn many of the bad habits he learned in college over time. But if they’re willing to let Willis gestate on the bench for a little while, their patience might be rewarded. He’ll then step in — ideally with Treylon Burks and Derrick Henry as genuine complements to this talent — and Tennessee could have its first legitimate franchise quarterback in years.
Willis slid very far down boards during this draft. While it was probably painful at the moment, he, and the Titans, soon might remember it as the best thing to happen to both in a long time.
