Malik Willis

Malik Willis Scouting Report

6’0, 219 (confirmed) … 2022 Senior Bowl invite … former three-star recruit who received limited offers to play quarterback; committed to Auburn before transferring to Liberty in 2019 … In 2021, Willis started 13 games and finished with 2,857 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions (61.1%); added 878 yards and 13 touchdowns as a runner … finished his career at Liberty completing 62.4% of his passes for 5,107 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions over two seasons; career rushing yards at Liberty totaled 1,822 yards and 27 touchdowns …  Physically, Malik Willis checks the minimum height requirements by today’s NFL standards … his frame is well-built and rocked up; he looks more like a linebacker than a quarterback … Athletically, Malik Willis is at the top of the 2022 NFL Draft quarterback class; his ability to beat opposing defenses with his legs is similar to some of the NFL’s dominant dual-threat quarterbacks … Willis possesses top-shelf arm talent from a strength and velocity standpoint but his accuracy leaves much to be desired … For every play that shows encouraging ball placement from Willis, there’s another that raises serious concerns about his ability to be a consistently productive starter in the NFL … Few quarterbacks will have a stronger arm than Willis in the league; he can make every throw in the route tree and has no problem pushing the ball downfield for explosive plays … Willis’ pocket presence is a bit concerning; there’s a sense of anxiety and panic when his first read is covered — he drops his eyes and looks for an escape route a tick or two faster than preferred … As a runner, Willis offers running back traits once he gets beyond the line of scrimmage; his ability as a runner isn’t limited to speed and change of direction either — Willis is a legitimate tackle-breaker who can gain hidden yards with his legs … Overall, Willis is a traitsy quarterback who will need a season or two on the bench before an NFL team can confidently line him up as a starter … his inconsistencies as a passer and inexperience taking snaps under center are red flags for immediate success, and his tendency to drop his eyes and take off as a runner gives me pause when determining if he is a passer first … If he takes the next step in his development, there’s a path for Willis to become a quality NFL starter and exciting dual-threat playmaker, but I wouldn’t take that chance in the first round … Willis should be a day-two pick who develops at his own pace and without the pressure that comes along with being a first-rounder.

Malik Willis School Bio

PFD 2022 NFL Draft rankings