The 2022 NFL Draft isn’t flush with quarterback talent. There’s no Trevor Lawrence or Andrew Luck standing as a surefire No. 1 pick. There might not even be a passer selected in the top five despite needy teams like the Lions, Texans and Giants all holding high-value picks.
When we see our first QB drafted could all depend on how teams judge Malik Willis. The Auburn transfer torched a mostly-underwhelming slate of competition in two seasons at Liberty, showcasing a rocket arm and the speed to escape collapsing pockets. He’s currently the favorite (-180) to be the first quarterback drafted, ahead of Pitt star Kenny Pickett (+140), per Tipico.
Just where Willis ends up is tougher to gauge. Tipico Sportsbook currently lists six destinations at +750 odds or shorter:
- Carolina Panthers (+240)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (+320)
- Detroit Lions (+380)
- Seattle Seahawks (+380)
- Atlanta Falcons (+400)
- New Orleans Saints (+750)
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Any would be a reasonable landing spot for a player with a high ceiling but also a low floor in the NFL. So what makes sense here?
The Pick: Malik Willis as the first QB off the board (-180) and drafted by the Carolina Panthers (+240). Carolina fits a pattern of desperate need — it just announced Sam Darnold is its current starter — and opportunity at the sixth overall pick. Matt Rhule is coaching for his job in Charlotte. A season in which Willis shows even the slightest flashes of being a franchise quarterback could be enough to keep him employed in 2023.
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