Player: Malik Willis
Team: Tennessee Titans
Pick: 86th Overall (Round 3 // Pick 22)
On the latest episode of the Razzball Fantasy Football Podcast Bobby LaMarco is joined by Razzball’s own Keelin Billue. Keelin jumps on the show to talk about the Titan’s new QB Malik Willis his fit in Tennessee. To hear our full analysis, check out the YouTube video included with this article. And see where Willis ranks on our new consensus rookie rankings for 2022 fantasy football dynasty leagues and 2022 fantasy football ADP pages!
In the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans selected Liberty QB Malik Willis. Willis is coming off a dynamic dual-threat career in his two seasons as a starter. Willis combined for 6,800 total yards and 74 TDs with a solid 18-6 record at Liberty. This led many draft experts to have Willis going as high as 2nd overall to the Lions and 6th overall to the Panthers. Instead, Willis slipped to the 3rd round and now we have to wonder how this slide will impact his NFL future. Since 2011, 32 QBs have been drafted in rounds three or four. Of that group, only Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, and Kirk Cousins become legit NFL starters. That’s a 9% hit rate on QBs going in those rounds. This means it’s probably fair to say the odds are stacked against Willis becoming a viable starter long-term.
Now that we know his draft stock limits Willis’ potential, the next question is, what is the likelihood that he will make any starts in Tennessee, and if he does, how soon? Current starter Ryan Tannehill is under contract for the next 2 seasons but does have a potential out after 2022. The good news for Willis is this coaching staff isn’t afraid to make an in-season move as Mike Vrabel did pull the plug on Marcus Mariota in favor of Tannehill back in 2019.
Before diving into his dynasty ADP, let’s first address what skill position group Willis might be inheriting. Rookie Treylon Burks projects as the future #1 but how good he will be is still to be determined. His #2 weapon Robert Woods is heading into his age 30 season and coming off a serious injury. However, if Woods bounces back, he’s under contract through 2025. Top TE Austin Hooper is only signed for the 2022 season. Finally, Derrick Henry is coming off a serious foot injury and is signed through the 2023 season. Overall, we might not have a better picture of this group until after the season.
This brings us to Willis’ dynasty rookie rankings. Currently, Wills sits as the QB1 and the 18th overall pick. Yes, the prospect of Willis’ dual-threat capabilities is tantalizing for fantasy; however, Kenny Pickett’s draft capital and skill position group do make him a safer bet in dynasty formats. This is why we would pivot from Willis at his current dynasty ADP. Watch the video above or listen to the audio below for our full analysis!
Sources: Razzball, Player Profiler, RotoHeat, Fantasy Pros, Pro Football Reference, Pro Football Focus, Spotrac, Overthecap, Ourlads, Bestball 10s, Underdog Fantasy, Sleeper, Yahoo, ESPN, and NFC
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