Despite being projected by most to be selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Liberty quarterback Malik Willis finds his name still on the board following the conclusion of Thursday night’s first round. He will now have to wait until Friday night when the draft resumes with the second and third rounds, beginning at 7 p.m. EST.
Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett was the only quarterback taken in the first round when the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him at No. 20. This marked the first time since 2013 that a quarterback was not selected in the top 10, and it was the latest a quarterback was taken in the first round since 1997 when Virginia Tech’s Jim Druckenmiller was take at No. 26 by the San Francisco 49ers.
Willis was hoping to join tight end Eric Green as just the second player in program history to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Green was taken 21st overall in 1990 by the Steelers. On Friday, Willis will look to be just the second Liberty player taken in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft, joining Green among that distinction.
Willis finished his career as Liberty’s starting quarterback with 5,107 yards and 47 touchdowns through the air. He also led the Flames each of the past two years in rushing, amassing 1,822 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground the past two seasons. Willis is the best player available on the board entering day two of the draft, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr.
Here’s a look at the beginning of round two and who is on the clock:
- 33. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 34. Minnesota Vikings
- 35. Tennessee Titans
- 36. New York Giants
- 37. Houston Texans
- 38. New York Jets
- 39. Chicago Bears
- 40. Seattle Seahawks
- 41. Seattle Seahawks
- 42. Indianapolis Colts
- 43. Atlanta Falcons
