Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kevin Hickey

Malik Willis leads Draft Wire’s post-Senior Bowl QB rankings

Though the Indianapolis Colts are still likely tied to quarterback Carson Wentz for the 2022 season, they will continue to do their homework on the incoming rookie class.

They aren’t on the clock until the No. 47 overall pick so even if they wanted to take a quarterback to compete with Wentz, it may be slim pickings. Regardless, that hasn’t kept analysts from mocking a rookie quarterback to the Colts over the last month or so.

We still have to get through the NFL combine and collegiate pro day workouts but with the Senior Bowl behind us, it’s Malik Willis who leads Draft Wire’s updated quarterback rankings for the 2022 NFL draft.

“There’s no clear-cut front-runner in this year’s class, and when I need to separate closely-grouped prospects at any position, I look for high-level traits that project a high ceiling instead of settling for a higher floor.

That leads me to Willis, who backed up what we’ve seen on film with a strong week in Mobile, showing off rare arm talent and impressive athleticism. He’s not a polished or complete prospect, but neither is any other passer in this class. That being the case, I’ll take my chances with the highest upside.” – Luke Easterling, Draft Wire

Willis is an intriguing prospect even if he is plenty raw. The big plays he puts on film with both his arm and legs might give teams the hope of capturing the next Josh Allen—even if that notion is far more unlikely to happen.

Unless the Colts are truly enamored by Willis’ skill set, it’s hard to confidently predict that they will select the Liberty product in the second round. That’s assuming Willis would even be available at that point, which likely won’t be the case.

IF the Colts are in the market for drafting a quarterback, they might have a better chance at landing a prospect like Desmond Ridder or Carson Strong in the second round. But still, that’s a big if.

Here are the rest of the updated rankings from Draft Wire following the Senior Bowl:

  1. Malik Willis, Liberty
  2. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
  3. Matt Corral, Mississippi
  4. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
  5. Sam Howell, North Carolina
  6. Carson Strong, Nevada
  7. Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
  8. Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington
  9. Aqeel Glass, Texas A&M
  10. Kaleb Eleby, Western Michigan
  11. Jack Coan, Notre Dame
  12. Brock Purd,| Iowa State
  13. Anthony Brown, Oregon
  14. Nick Starkel, San Jose State
  15. Zerrick Cooper, Jacksonville State

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.