For months now, the idea of the Detroit Lions taking a quarterback with their top pick in the 2022 NFL draft has been obscured by a broadly perceived lack of worthy candidates. It’s not a good draft to need a quarterback, or so everyone with a microphone, a keyboard and an opinion will loudly declare.
But now there is a candidate emerging who just might be worthy. Malik Willis has elevated his stock enough between the Senior Bowl and this week’s NFL scouting combine to merit a legitimate discussion about the possibility the Lions could take him at No. 2 overall.
It’s been quite a draft season for the Liberty quarterback. While questions about his current ability level rightly curb the enthusiasm, Willis’ electrifying offseason has to force Detroit GM Brad Holmes, head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions to consider him as the team’s potential quarterback of the future. Detroit has a firmly entrenched starter for 2022 in Jared Goff, who played well enough down the stretch to create real optimism about his potential to work with a better supporting cast than the Lions surrounded him with in 2021.
