The Eagles would be foolish to draft Malik Willis

[time2rock]

The Eagles would be foolish to draft Malik Willis

Nick Faria|15:35 04/02/22

There are one or two prospects every year at the Senior Bowl who blow reporters and coaches away. Some pan out in the NFL, others don’t.

 

While many scouts gather information on the talent of this year’s senior bowl class, the position that is seeing the most debate is at QB. In a class with no clear #1 prospect, one man has pushed to change that narrative.

Spoiler Alert: Malik Willis is killing it.

The QB from Liberty has turned a lot of heads with some of the best all-round practices and clearly the best arm.

Even with Willis turning heads in practices, in case it already hasn’t been made clear, the Eagles should not even consider taking Willis in the first round this year.

A big arm doesn’t always mean success

Everyone wants to point to Josh Allen and how successful he was at the Senior Bowl, turning that into one of the brightest careers in the game. The ability to have a cannon for an arm is definitely something that helps NFL QB’s.

That doesn’t mean it always works out.

Josh Allen, and even Ben Roethlisberger are outliers when it comes to QB’s who had big arms in college and grew to become semi-accurate signal-callers. But there are plenty of QB’s in the draft over the last two decades who have come in with big arms, and it has meant absolutely nothing.

JaMarcus Russell, Drew Lock, Brock Osweiler, and many other QB’s walked into the Senior Bowl with big arms, used that to get drafted early, and have had it absolutely fail them in the NFL.

Allen, and Big Ben were outliers when it comes to big arm QB’s. Just because Willis has an absolute howitzer, doesn’t mean the Eagles should go after him either.

The difference with Hurts

In many ways, Willis regressed as a passer in senior year. He didn’t really follow his progressions his, and doesn’t have the footwork you look for in an NFL starter. Accuracy and anticipation are concerns as well.

Remind you of anyone?

The obvious difference between Hurts and Willis is that Willis has the arm, and Hurts doesn’t have the same arm talent. It doesn’t mean Hurts is a bad QB or would be a bad QB, but there really isn’t a lot that separates Willis to Hurts.

The quality of QB in this draft is far below what we’ve seen in past history. If the Eagles were to take Willis in the first round, that means they feel he can develop to a far higher ceiling than Hurts, but it also means they don’t really like the QB’s in 2023 or 2024. Mind you, many scouts and reporters have made the point that the QB’s in next year’s class could easily go #1 overall this year.

There’s just no reason to reach for a player like Willis when he’s just as much a project as Hurts is.

At least Hurts has actually won at the NFL level.

Talking doesn’t mean interest

Any time Howie Roseman has a conversation with a QB, it pins the ears to every Eagles fan in America.

So naturally, the Eagles GM taking an extra look at Willis has raised the alarm in Philadelphia.

Of course, just because Howie Roseman may LIKE a prospect, doesn’t mean he’s going to draft said prospect.

 

The fact of the matter is that there could very well be other QB’s that go as early, or earlier than Willis. The Senior Bowl is not the be-all-end-all in the draft process. The NFL Combine is yet to happen and private workouts can change people’s minds.

It’s fair to point out that Jalen Hurts and Malik Willis are two projects at the QB position.

Hurts has shown how important having a leader in the locker room, and huddle is to a franchise. He led the Eagles to the playoffs in his first year as the starter. That doesn’t mean he’s finished growing as a passer. He is only 23 years old. The same age as Willis when training camp starts.

There’s absolutely no reason for Roseman and the Eagles to take a flier on another project QB, essentially wasting one of the important first-round picks this year.

Willis may have the better arm, but it doesn’t mean he’ll be as successful as Hurts has been in the NFL.

https://phillysportsnetwork.com/2022/02/04/jalen-hurts-malik-willis/

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I'll say this... I'd rather they drafted Willis than Pickett. That's not to say Willis is going to work out, that's not to say that Pickett is not going to be a pretty good NFL QB. But Willis has the potential to, I think, be an elite QB. There's a pretty good chance that doesn't work out but I'd prefer his upside. 

[time2rock]

7 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I'll say this... I'd rather they drafted Willis than Pickett. That's not to say Willis is going to work out, that's not to say that Pickett is not going to be a pretty good NFL QB. But Willis has the potential to, I think, be an elite QB. There's a pretty good chance that doesn't work out but I'd prefer his upside. 

I'd rather they draft none this year - they have to be looking forward and evaluating prospects that will come out in 2023 and 2024 and know they are better overall prospects.  So why hitch your wagon to a lesser talent now.  Why ... just because we have 3 first round draft picks?  So what!  Use those picks wisely and use Hurts as a bridge QB for a season or 2 (and who knows maybe through continued evaluation he does show marked improvement and we no longer have a need).  

[UK_EaglesFan89]

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

I'd rather they draft none this year - they have to be looking forward and evaluating prospects that will come out in 2023 and 2024 and know they are better overall prospects.  So why hitch your wagon to a lesser talent now.  Why ... just because we have 3 first round draft picks?  So what!  Use those picks wisely and use Hurts as a bridge QB for a season or 2 (and who knows maybe through continued evaluation he does show marked improvement and we no longer have a need).  

Oh I agree with you. I'm certainly not on board the "draft a QB or trade for a QB this year" train. 

[birdman#12]

Big arms does not equate to being a good passer.  

I don't give a sh-- if a guy can throw 75 yards or thru a cement wall......passing is a developed skill that revolves around being cool in the pocket, being able to read defenses and go thru progressions QUICKLY, to release the ball quickly and deliver it accurately.

If any ONE of those things are not developed, then he's just a guy who can throw a ball.  Too many "dual threat" QBs know they might get out of trouble with their legs, which hampers their passing development.  

Russell Wilson just might be the perfect "dual threat" QB in the NFL.......he uses his athletic ability to elude pressure, buy time......but he keeps his eyes downfield not only to create opportunities downfiled, but to open up the defense to take off. He takes off only when nobody is in the same county and slides before anyone gets near him.  He's done this since he was drafted.

[EaglesAddict]

Everything I've seen and read so far on Willis is a big "no thanks".  He's virtually the same QB as Hurts, albeit maybe with a stronger arm and a bit faster.  But I can't see that he'd be an actual upgrade on Hurts.  I've never been a fan of QBs whose primary trait is to run.  I want a QB who can run, but only as a last resort.  I'd be good with a guy who is athletic enough to at least maneuver in the pocket or outside the pocket to avoid the rush, but primarily always wants to, you know...PASS the ball instead of running it.

[dawkins4prez]

I'd take him at #19 and redshirt him.  Anybody taking him  higher than that good  luck.

[nipples]

23 hours ago, time2rock said:

I'd rather they draft none this year - they have to be looking forward and evaluating prospects that will come out in 2023 and 2024 and know they are better overall prospects.  So why hitch your wagon to a lesser talent now.  Why ... just because we have 3 first round draft picks?  So what!  Use those picks wisely and use Hurts as a bridge QB for a season or 2 (and who knows maybe through continued evaluation he does show marked improvement and we no longer have a need).  

Depends. Despite all the talk lately, I still think there’s a chance Willis falls out of the first round. How would you feel about spending a 2nd on him? I think I’d be good with that. 

[nipples]

2 hours ago, EaglesAddict said:

Everything I've seen and read so far on Willis is a big "no thanks".  He's virtually the same QB as Hurts, albeit maybe with a stronger arm and a bit faster.  But I can't see that he'd be an actual upgrade on Hurts.  I've never been a fan of QBs whose primary trait is to run.  I want a QB who can run, but only as a last resort.  I'd be good with a guy who is athletic enough to at least maneuver in the pocket or outside the pocket to avoid the rush, but primarily always wants to, you know...PASS the ball instead of running it.

He is not the same QB as Hurts based on his arm. Whether anyone wants to admit it it or not, having below average arm strength as an NFL QB is a major handicap. Willis has a great arm, which gives him a greater chance to succeed than Hurts. 

[time2rock]

38 minutes ago, nipples said:

Depends. Despite all the talk lately, I still think there’s a chance Willis falls out of the first round. How would you feel about spending a 2nd on him? I think I’d be good with that. 

So pull the old Hurts thingy again … but on Hurts … with a player that is quite similar to Hurts (but with better arm strength)?  
Nah, pass. Would sooner see us use the pick on another DE (assuming we take one on day 1) or CB or S or LB.  

[nipples]

8 minutes ago, time2rock said:

So pull the old Hurts thingy again … but on Hurts … with a player that is quite similar to Hurts (but with better arm strength)?  
Nah, pass. Would sooner see us use the pick on another DE (assuming we take one on day 1) or CB or S or LB.  

Eh, I think Willis is a far better prospect. Just the arm strength alone gives him a better chance to succeed. 

[time2rock]

1 hour ago, nipples said:

Eh, I think Willis is a far better prospect. Just the arm strength alone gives him a better chance to succeed. 

Looking just at the numbers (I know ... stats don't always tell the whole story), from 2020 to 2021 his completion % dropped by 3 points, he threw twice as many INTs, and his QB rating dropped too.  Arm strength without accuracy is still an issue (I've heard his accuracy has been off).  I stand by my desire to use our high picks (all day 1 and 2) on other areas of the roster and delay focus on a new QB until 2023 or 2024 when there should be much better prospects from which to choose (assuming Hurts still hasn't proven to be the guy by then).  

[eglz1]

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

So pull the old Hurts thingy again … but on Hurts … with a player that is quite similar to Hurts (but with better arm strength)?  
Nah, pass. Would sooner see us use the pick on another DE (assuming we take one on day 1) or CB or S or LB.  

Exactly. Too many other needs.

[EaglesAddict]

17 hours ago, nipples said:

He is not the same QB as Hurts based on his arm. Whether anyone wants to admit it it or not, having below average arm strength as an NFL QB is a major handicap. Willis has a great arm, which gives him a greater chance to succeed than Hurts. 

Strong arm doesn't equate to success.  When I watch Willis, I just see another QB who will primarily just run it.  No thanks.  

[nipples]

16 minutes ago, EaglesAddict said:

Strong arm doesn't equate to success.  When I watch Willis, I just see another QB who will primarily just run it.  No thanks.  

Didn’t say it automatically equates to success. I said it increases the odds of success. Take two QBs who are identical in every way, but one has an above average arm and the other has a below average arm. One of those is more likely to turn into a good NFL QB than the other. 

[EaglesAddict]

55 minutes ago, nipples said:

Didn’t say it automatically equates to success. I said it increases the odds of success. Take two QBs who are identical in every way, but one has an above average arm and the other has a below average arm. One of those is more likely to turn into a good NFL QB than the other. 

Right.  But the "more likely" part could be 10% chance vs. a 15% chance he'll turn into a good NFL QB.  I'm just saying that Willis is not "head and shoulders" above Hurts and that they are essentially the same type of QB.  I don't know Willis' mental prowess or if he's driven like Hurts or if his mentality is more like Cam Newtown or Mike Vick (guys that relied on their athleticism vs. becoming a student of the game).  We know Hurts has virtually every single intangible that one could ask for in a QB.  Does Willis?  I'd take Hurts with a weaker arm but better mentality over a guy with a strong arm and thinks his athleticism will make up for all other shortcomings.