Sorry Colts fans, Malik Willis isn’t coming to Indianapolis
Some franchise will be lucky enough to draft quarterback Malik Willis but it won’t be the Indianapolis Colts.
Depending on who you ask, Malik Willis is the top quarterback in the 2022 draft class. At worst, he’s the third-best on some people’s list.
Regardless of what his initial ranking was, he has already been improving his stock as draft season has begun.
Activities are underway at the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl and after one day of practice, many feel that Willis has already established himself as the best prospect in Mobile, Alabama.
Malik Willis shines in Senior Bowl practice
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who followed Willis throughout his college career. After two seasons at Auburn, Willis transferred to Liberty and really blossomed.
In two years with the Flames, Willis passed for 5,107 yards and 47 touchdowns to 18 interceptions. He also added 1,822 yards on the ground and another 27 touchdowns.
Willis is the epitome of a dual-threat. He has a strong arm with down-field accuracy and also the strength and agility to shed and elude defenders.
It makes sense why some Indianapolis Colts fans have developed an interest in Willis and would like to see him taking snaps in Indy next season. However, Indianapolis fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.
Malik Willis to the Colts is extremely unlikely
Some fans have begun entertaining the idea of Willis as the Colts’ next quarterback and while that would be great, it’s not happening.
For starters, Indianapolis traded away this year’s first-round pick for its current quarterback, Carson Wentz. So Indy’s first pick isn’t until the second round, No. 47 overall.
Willis looking amazing during pre-draft evaluation ends any hope that he would somehow fall to Indianapolis in the second round.
With quarterback-needy teams like Washington, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh, Willis is unlikely to make it past the No. 20th selection.
That means if the Colts really wanted Willis they would have to broker a massive deal that allows them to trade into the top 15. This could involve players and a ton of draft capital, and Indy would have to find a willing partner.
That seems like a route with very little possibility of engagement. If Indianapolis does explore it, that means the franchise loves Willis as a prospect and believes he is a transformational quarterback.
He might just be, but fans shouldn’t get their hopes up that he will land with the Colts.