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Steelers Showing Early Interest in Liberty QB Malik Willis

Discussion in 'The Bill Nunn Draft Room' started by SteelersfaninPhilly, Feb 1, 2022.

  1. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Please No trade partners. Please No trade partners. :beg::beg::beg::beg::beg::beg::beg:
     
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  2. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    No doubt there’s plenty of one read RPOs in UNC’s offense, but there are also enough straight drop backs with routes spread around the field. If you watch 2020 film when he had better protection and better targets, you’ll see more than enough of those plays to demonstrate that he has the capability to do more as a passer than the majority of their play calls asked him to do. It’s a pretty mediocre offensive design to be frank, and left him dealing with more free pass rushers than a QB should have to deal with. Ideally he’d get a year behind a vet, but if he’s only competing with the likes of Rudolph and Haskins, I think he’d emerge as the best option long before his rookie season ends.

    But that’s ok… we will instead draft a faster version of Taysom Hill who has never shown the ability to consistently make 1 read, let alone multiple reads, or actually anticipate and throw a ball before seeing his receiver exit his break.
     
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  3. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    this to me says a lot. i'm not sure art2 is sold on willis style. https://steelersdepot.com/2022/02/c...o-comfortable-with-having-rudolph-as-starter/

    it doesn't seem like he wants a one read and run guy. ala lamar jackson. they always liked size as well. height that is. pocket movement seems to be more of a want for art. he was a big ben fan for sure. is there any close to that style amongst these draft picks or free agents? :cool:
     
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  4. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    Well, if we want a guy who is close to Big Ben from a physical perspective (size/arm/strength/mobility), Phil Jurkevic will likely be in the 2023 draft. Some great flashes on tape, but fortunately returning to school for another season. He needs the additional year. I get to see him in person next year since BC is visiting UCONN.
     
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  5. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    they all have warts for sure. so many without size this year. haven't seen enough of kelly to make a determination on him but he actually had some decent numbers. he's one big dude for sure. not sure how his numbers transfer but his completion percentage is really good. every year in fact. touch and decision making though have been suspect from what i have been reading. corral is only 6-0. strong has some upside but mobility is not there. good head though with an arm. i did see crum play a couple of times and was impressed. not sure why he hasn't gotten more love. maybe the next steeler great from kent state? :smiley1: too many choices and no clear cut favorite. my initial thoughts haven't changed much in strong or howell and i did like corral but ridder and willis are showing some life as well. i don't think pickett will be there. i liked purdy some last year. then you have zappe.:shrug::cool:
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2022
  6. Hanratty#5

    Hanratty#5 Well-Known Member

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    I'm glad you mentioned Bailey Zappe, he threw 62 TD's last year at Western Kentucky breaking Joe Burrows all time college record. If Pickett and Howell are gone by the time the Steelers draft at #20, I hope the first 3 rounds they draft O-Line and fill in other gaps and then take Zappe in the fourth.
     
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  7. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    colbert spoke about accurate qb's. he said he likes accurate qb's. he said if they are accurate in college it normally carries over in the pro's. teamed with what art2 said about being a guy that can move around but not a guy that is part of the running game. :shrug::cool:
     
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  8. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Well if all that is true a few Qbs should automatically be taken off the board.
     
  9. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    Art is wagging the dog. Canada is the OC, there will be heavy RPO’s next year. Calling it right now, our QB will have 400 yards rushing next season.

    That is if it’s not Rudolph.
     
  10. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    Rudolph will need more carries than Najee to get 400 rushing yards.
     
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  11. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    That would just be a little over 23.5 yards a game. Mason rushed for 53 yards last year ....with a long of 26.....So....:shrug: LoL.
    Sorry already sticking up for Him.
     
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  12. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    i don't think they want a josh allen or lamar jackson type offense with the new qb. they will have to have the same type of backup if they do and we don't if we draft willis. i seriously doubt we are going to turn into a college type of offense. it doesn't work well in the nfl.

    allen had 85 turnovers the last 4 years, plus 118 sacks. those are all negative plays. he had 134 TDs as well. 203 negative plays though.

    lamar jackson had 174 negative plays, with 105 TDs. plus an injury.

    mahomes 158 negative plays but 159 TDs. roughly 50-50. he had less then 400 yards rushing last year and every other year though. he's more of a passer that can run if needed. he's the one that has been to the last 3 afc championship games and two super bowls. i think that's more in line with what art2 wants.

    mahomes 64.1 %, allen 62.1%, jackson 61.1% passing. 2345 attempts for mahomes. 1999 attempts for allen. 1329 attempts for jackson. more passes and a higher percentage for mahomes. :cool:
     
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  13. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    You are missing the point.


    Both need to sit; be it Howell or Willis. Realistically speaking, there is no guarantee either will be on the board by then due to the nature and value of the position. For all that is known, Pittsburgh is not likely to trade up at all.


    Jumping to conclusions is not a feasible action merely based on what is known. Need more information to do so.
     
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  14. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    No… you’re missing the point. Duh, I know that we don’t know whether they’ll be available or whether we’d trade up. This is all hypothetical discussion. Double duh.
     
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  15. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Oh Yeah!!!
    Well Your both missing the point. LoL.
    I hope nobody let's us move up with them.
     
  16. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    My point exactly. No duh needed; double or otherwise.


    You assume that I want the team to nab Willis. Willis' name is only brought up as often as it is due to the fact that the team already has their eyes set on him. For that matter, since 2010, Pittsburgh has been hell bent on who they like/don't like when it comes to prospects. Willis is no different. Nothing hypothetical about how the team approaches the draft and the players they like; Devin Bush being the best example.



    In my ideal draft, I would rather take either Kenyon Green or Zion Johnson at the moment. Even if Trai Turner us brought back, I doubt it would be for long. Even if another FA Guard is brought in, I doubt it would be long term barring someone like James Daniels from Chicago. In addition, Kevin Dotsons play in his sophomore campaign is one point to discuss for certain; his availability as well.
     
  17. AskQuestionsLater

    AskQuestionsLater Writing Team

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    Again, I would like to upgrade the trenches. However, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers FO have made it abundantly clear about certain prospects they like. With the amount of attention Willis received from just about every major Steelers Coach and Kevin Colbert during the Week of the Senior Bowl, it is not difficult to see who is likely their biggest target.



    All this said, they spoke to others as well; keeping their options open. For that matter, Kevin Colbert had been to North Carolina multiple during the 2021 CFB Season. Sam Howell has to be on that radar as well given his own interactions with the team. However, no QB seems to have caught the teams attention like Willis.



    Overall, if I had to hazard a guess on which QBs the Steelers are zeroed in on most, Sam Howell and Malik Willis are the two top contestants. Question remains as to how much better is one over the other for Matt Canada.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2022
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  18. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    I was not saying that you want Willis, I’m railing against what seems to be legit interest in Willis, and even agreed with you earlier that the team historically seems to make its draft affections well known, and said that it scared the hell out of me. On Howell my point is as much about how weak Rudolph and Haskins are as starting QBs as it is a belief that Howell has the chutzpah to handle a starting role before the end of the 2022 season.


    We do agree on building elsewhere early in this draft though. You are more focused on guards, I might prefer a right tackle or a corner (though our record drafting corners scares me a bit). I am also interested in a big Buck in the 2nd or 3rd, Beavers being the guy that leaps to mind first.

    For the record though, I would not be disappointed if we took Howell at #20 if he’s there.
     
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  19. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    CB. :thumbs_up:
    Really if they took any position on D in the 1st I'd be happy. Well except outside LB, and even then I wouldn't cry about it.
     
  20. SGSteeler

    SGSteeler Well-Known Member

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    I am also on the round 2 buck train. Love Beavers and Clark. Either of them would look fantastic in the B&G. Corner would be sick, and would really bolster our defense if we get it right. Obviously OL is a huge need, so a tackle or guard would be legit. TBH WR is a sleeper first round option. I would absolutely LOVE to see Garrett Wilson in a Steelers uni.
     
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  21. Rel

    Rel Well-Known Member

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    an RPO offense is pretty common across the NFL, it's not really a "college" offense anymore.
     
  22. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    as far as the qb running as much as they do in college. that is not as common. the qb being part of the run game in college and the pros is quite different. that is also exactly what the owner said he doesn't want. college ball runs the qb's at a much higher rate. in most cases in the pro's it's more of another name for play action. :cool:
     
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  23. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    This for the win.
     
  24. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    Working pretty well for Jackson.

    If they draft Willis, hopefully they aren’t stupid again and try to make him a pocket QB like they did Kordell.

    Tomlin wants his own version of Jackson. Will he get it, I don’t know but they are definitely interested in Willis.
     
  25. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Again my friend....Why would You want a version of something You own ....Lamar Jackson = 1 overtime win, 2 losses, 4tds, 6ints,and 6 fumbles, and not something You can't stop ....Pat Mahomes = 2 wins, no losses, 9 tds,and no ints(this is not counting the playoffs)????
    P. Mahomes is not a running Qb. Lamar is.
     

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