Report: Malik Willis set for first NFL start with Tennessee Titans amid Ryan Tannehill injury
Malik Willis is readying to make his first career NFL start as Ryan Tannehill nurses an injury, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
On Saturday afternoon, Pelissero revealed the news that the possible future of the Tennessee Titans has arrived.
“#Titans QB Ryan Tannehill remains ill and missed today’s walkthrough, putting rookie Malik Willis in line for his first NFL start Sunday against the #Texans, per sources,” tweeted Pelissero. “Tannehill also is dealing with an ankle sprain. Willis got all the starter reps in practice this week.”
Afterwards, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport ratified Pelissero’s report, writing, “Looks like Malik Willis is set for his first start.”
Moreover, the Titans selected the Liberty quarterback, who showed off his talent under Hugh Freeze after transferring from Auburn, with the No. 86 overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. After proving himself following the move, he established himself as the best mobile quarterback in his class and showed off his elite arm strength.
In two seasons with the Flames before entering the NFL Draft, Malik Willis threw for 5,107 yards with 47 touchdowns and 18 interceptions while completing 62.4 percent of his passes. He also added 1,822 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns.
A former four-star recruit in the class of 2017, he was the No. 421 overall player in the nation per the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average. The Atlanta, Georgia native also ranked as the No. 27 quarterback and No. 44 player in his home state after playing at Roswell High School.
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Moreover, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein broke down what Malik Willis can bring to the NFL in his scouting of the quarterback’s draft profile back in April. The analyst compared the Liberty quarterback to a pair of players, using Jay Cutler’s arm, along with Jalen Hurts’ build and play style to describe the top quarterback in the class.
According to Zierlein, while Willis is not the perfect prospect, his high potential and mobility in a weak quarterback class make him a valuable asset for teams in need of a franchise leader.
“Upside quarterback with special parts of his game, but with no guarantee they will be assembled properly into a finished product,” wrote Zierlein. “Willis uses his rare combination of elite rushing talent and a rocket-launching right arm to unlock explosive plays in two different ways.
“He has the arm to beat safeties to the deepest parts of the field and makes impressive throws from inside and outside the pocket.”