We are just one week away from the 2022 NFL Draft and learning where Liberty quarterback Malik Willis will call his next home.
Willis, who is one of 21 prospects that are planning to attend the Draft live in Las Vegas, is being widely considered to be a first round draft pick and possibly the first quarterback selected in this year’s draft. He is one of only two quarterbacks that will attend the Draft in person, joining Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral.
According to multiple reports, Willis has taken visits with several NFL teams over the past couple of weeks including the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and others. Here is a look at the teams that are currently the betting favorites to land the former Liberty quarterback:
- Carolina Panthers (+350)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (+350)
- Atlanta Falcons (+450)
- Seattle Seahawks (+450)
- Detroit Lions (+500)
- New Orleans Saints (+500)
- Houston Texans (+1400)
- Washington Commanders (+2000)
- New York Giants (+2000)
- Philadelphia Eagles (+2000)
- Indianapolis Colts (+3000)
- Minnesota Vikings (+5000)
The 6’1″, 225 pound athlete and native of Atlanta, Georgia, finished his time at Liberty with a 17-6 record as a starting quarterback. This past season, Willis completed 207 of 339 passes for 2,857 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also led the Flames in rushing with 878 yards and 13 touchdowns on 197 carries.
Liberty has had eight players drafted in the NFL Draft all-time, but only one has been selected earlier than the fourth round. In 1990, tight end Eric Green was taken in the first round with the No. 21 overall selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Several Liberty players have been taken in the 4th round including Kelvin Edwards (1986), Walt Aikens (2014), and Antonio Gandy-Golden (2020).
The first round of the NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, April 28 at 8 p.m. Rounds 2 and 3 will occur on Friday, April 29, starting at 7 p.m. while rounds 4-7 are on Saturday, April 30, beginning at noon. The draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ABC, and ESPN.
