The 2022 quarterback draft class is not as strong as it has been in the past few years, but expect a few to go in Round 1 of this year’s NFL draft.
Over the past two NFL drafts, nine quarterbacks have gone in the first round. Liberty QB Malik Willis is one of the top two or three at the position this year. He could be the first quarterback taken as scouts for a number of franchises love his potential.
Which NFL team will pull the trigger on Willis? Here is a look at the odds and predictions on the team to select Malik Willis in the 2022 NFL draft.
Dual-Threat Talent
Willis played behind Jarrett Stidham at Auburn. He transferred to Liberty, sat out a year, and was the Flames starter in each of the past two seasons. Willis showed tremendous dual threat abilities in running the Liberty offense.
In two seasons with the Flames, Willis ran for 1,835 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also displayed strong passing skills with 5,107 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. Willis has drawn several comparisons to Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson.
Willis is a shade under 6-foot-1 and weighs a solid 220 pounds. He may not have the speed of Jackson, but he has elite running ability. He also showed off tremendous arm strength in the position drills at the NFL combine. He’s a likely first-round pick. The only question is who?
The Favorite
All of the talk recently in the draft circles is how the Pittsburgh Steelers are all over Willis. Ben Roethlisberger retired after 18 seasons and left the Steelers with Mason Rudolph.
Pittsburgh signed former Bears starter and Bills backup Mitch Trubisky to compete with Rudolph, but the feeling is that if the Steelers can get a guy like Willis to become a starter for the next several seasons, they will pull the trigger. That’s why Pittsburgh is given +160 odds to draft Willis.
Others in the mix include most of the NFC South – Carolina, Atlanta, and New Orleans.
Which Team Will Select Malik Willis in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Here’s the thing. Pittsburgh doesn’t pick until No. 20. Unless they are going to move up in Round 1, Willis isn’t going to be around to take.
Carolina picks at No. 6, but there is a connection between Panthers head coach Matt Rhule and Pitt’s Kenny Pickett.
Atlanta picks at No. 8 and New Orleans following at No. 16. The Falcons signed Marcus Mariota in the offseason and they are likely to go for a cornerback or a wide receiver with their top pick. They can get through a season or two with a guy like Mariota who could be a solid starter for a few years.
And that’s where the Saints come in. Jameis Winston will return from a knee injury that cost him half of last season. Winston has improved as the Saints QB, but New Orleans likes what Willis brings to the future of the franchise. Plus, he can develop under Winston in 2022.
PICK: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS +400
Team to Draft Malik Willis Betting Lines
Pittsburgh Steelers +160
Carolina Panthers +400
New Orleans Saints +400
Seattle Seahawks +750
Atlanta Falcons +900
Detroit Lions +900
New York Giants +2000
Philadelphia Eagles +2000
Houston Texans +2000
Washington Commanders +2000
Indianapolis Colts +3300
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3300
New York Jets +3300
Tennessee Titans +3300
Check out who we’re picking to be the 1st QB selected in the 2022 NFL draft.