One of the more memorable first rounds in recent NFL Draft memory just completed with Kenny Pickett ending up as the only quarterback selected. Pickett went No. 20 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in what was a popular landing spot for Liberty quarterback Malik Willis leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. In looking at where Malik Willis would be drafted earlier this week, we noted that the Steelers were the favorite to select Willis and that even the high end of Willis’s Over/Under odds was at 13.5.
After 32 picks, he remains without a team.
There were nine trades last night, and only one quarterback was selected. It was the first time in NFL history that no running backs or tight ends were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Malik Willis should be drafted on Day 2 Friday night, but which team will take the chance on him? The Seattle Seahawks are the betting favorite to draft Willis tonight, and we asked our analysts to provide the ideal landing spot for the Liberty QB from a fantasy perspective. Here’s where Matthew Freedman, Andrew Erickson, Derek Brown, and Joe Pisapia want to see Willis end up.
Seattle Seahawks
Malik Willis’ perfect scenario would be to land with the Seattle Seahawks at the top of the second round. Willis would be airdropped into a situation with stellar wide receiving options in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf and protection upfront with their new tackle Charles Cross. His freefall outside of the first round isn’t perfect, as hit rates for fantasy quarterbacks are spotty at best if you’re drafted in round one. They look even grimmer when staring at round two standouts over the last few years. Pairing Willis with Pistol Pete Carroll sounds ugly on the surface, but it’s the best we can hope for at this point.
– Derek Brown
Note: Derek does indeed have the Seahawks drafting Malik Willis in the second round in his Day 2 Mock Draft, but he doesn’t have Willis as the first quarterback selected tonight…
A forward-thinking team doesn’t trade away a 33-year-old franchise quarterback unless it have a tentative contingency plan. And no, that plan does not feature Drew Lockas the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback.
All the buzz out of the NFL combine was that Seattle loved Malik Willis, so I’d imagine that he is the rookie quarterback they envision selecting with one of their early Round 2 picks (40/41) . Willis impressed teams at the Combine with his overall offensive knowledge, ability to retain offensive info, and play-calls for the position.He also showcased his big arm at Liberty’s pro day with several NFL executives and coaches closely watching. Willis finished the 2021 season as PFF’s fourth-highest-graded passer on throws of 20-plus air yards.
His dual-threat ability – he averaged nearly 100 rushing yards per game over the last two seasons – mimics a younger Russell Wilson, so it’s no wonder Seattle is so high on the incoming rookie quarterback.
He’s the perfect QB for an offense that is more than happy to establish the run to Pete Carroll’s desire. And he’s got the arm to deliver big throws downfield to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
– Andrew Erickson
Atlanta Falcons
I think we’ll see a team trade up into the first five picks of Round 2 to draft Willis — and I hope it’s the Falcons. In Atlanta, he’d have a shot to start quickly, and he’d have an intriguing trio of pass-catching options in WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts and RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson. If Willis lands in Seattle (a real possibility), he’ll likely be hamstrung by the coaching staff. In Atlanta, Willis might have a great chance to cut loose.
– Matthew Freedman
New York Giants
The Giants. Willis can sit for a year if need be behind Daniel Jones. He would have a HC in Brian Daboll with experience molding a young, “toolsy” QB in Josh Allen and they just drafted a potential HOF tackle in round one with Evan Neal of Alabama.
– Joe Pisapia
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Mike Maher is an editor and content manager at FantasyPros and BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive, follow him on Twitter @MikeMaher, and visit his Philadelphia Eagles blog, The Birds Blitz.
