2022 NFL draft scouting report: Liberty QB Malik Willis

Liberty QB Malik Willis

6-foot 1/2
219 pounds

Yahoo Sports' 2022 NFL draft grade

6.10 — possible first-rounder; possible immediate starter

TL;DR scouting report

Unicorn playmaker with a rocket arm and tackle-breaking run ability, but he's somewhat unrefined and will face ups and downs early on.

The skinny

A 3-star Rivals recruit as an "athlete" in the Class of 2017, Willis signed with Auburn and saw action in seven games, completing 6 of 7 passes (85.7%) for 45 yards with one TD, also running 16 times for 221 yards and another score. As a sophomore, he completed 5 of 7 passes for 24 yards and ran 12 times for 88 yards and one TD. After losing his bid to win the Tigers' starting QB job in the spring of 2019, Willis transferred to Liberty and sat out that season. In 2020, he won the Flames' QB job and led the team to a 9-1 record as a starter, completing 170 of 265 passes (64.2%) for 2,250 yards, 20 TDs and six INTs, rushing 141 times for 944 yard and 14 TDs. As a redshirt senior, Willis completed 207 of 339 passes (61.1%) for 2,857 yards, 27 TDs and 12 INTs, also rushing for 878 yards and 13 TDs on 197 carries and catching a 13-yard pass in 13 games. Willis attended the Senior Bowl.

Upside

• Explosive athlete with a power-RB type of build

• Unusual combination of athletic traits — a true dual-threat QB

• Able to withstand hits as a runner, as well as juke defenders and break tackles

• Enough juice to turn the corner vs. NFL ends and some linebackers

• Nuclear-grade arm talent — easily can air it out 60-plus yards or thread it on a line

• Only Senior Bowl QB whose passes truly cut through heavy practice rain and wind

• Able to throw from variety of arm angles and platforms

• Ability to summon magic in his game — lots of "wow" plays on tape

• Defenses must account for every blade of grass when he's on the field

• Pretty quick release throwing hot vs. blitz or on RPOs

• Lack of height didn't lead to many batted balls at line (seven in 615 career attempts)

• Asked to carry the load on an undertalented team — go-to receiver was redshirt freshman

• Played behind shoddy OL, and not all his sacks were on him

• Some turnovers came when you don't mind him taking the risk — played to win

• Cut way back on fumbles — three in 2021, compared to 17 in 2020

• Rarely was hemmed in as a runner last two seasons — averaged 8.4 ypc in career (taking out sacks)

• Offers good sub-package possibilities while he's preparing to start

• Teammates gravitate toward his personality, leadership style

• Eminently coachable and has made tangible strides last few years

• Physically and mentally tough

Downside

• Well below preferred threshold for height

• Didn't run 40-yard dash or perform other combine testing drills

• His body has taken a beating the past two seasons

• Operated in offense with heavy predetermined reads, half-field reads

• Takes way too many sacks — one on every nine dropbacks last season

• Hangs onto the ball too long — average time in pocket last season was whopping 3.33 seconds

• Must learn to climb the pocket, and not just default to being a runner

• Pocket footwork can be sloppy and wild, even with improvements

• Touch, accuracy and placement all need improvements

• Too many passes thrown in harm's way

• Tends to stare down targets — NFL safeties will feast on this

• Not effective dissecting the middle of the field

• Turnovers tended to come in bunches

• Racked up huge production vs. lower-level teams, fared less well vs. Power-5 competition

• Will need time to percolate before he's ready to start

• Team that drafts him must be willing to embrace schoolyard play style

Best-suited destination

In a perfect world, Willis will land with a team that will not try to change his play style, even if he needs to improve elements of his game, and must incorporate a designed QB run game into that offense. The first part can be achieved by watching and learning before he's ready to be unleashed. Physically speaking, Willis can handle the rigors of the NFL, but counting on him too early could lead to some wild variance in his play. That said, highly drafted quarterbacks rarely sit long, so finding that balance will be key. He has special traits but isn't yet close to being a finished product.

Did you know

Willis' uncle, James Anderson, was a linebacker in the NFL for 11 years, mostly with the Panthers, but also spending time with the Bears, Titans and Saints.

Player comp

There is no comp for Willis. But he's built similarly to Steve McNair and shares some of the same unusual traits that the late great did.

Expected draft range

We think Willis ends up a top-10 pick, and he won't fall past the 20th pick.