Malik Willis in 2026?

This is what so many don't understand. Quarterbacks come out of college at different levels of development. Much of that is dependent on the system they played in, the coaching they received, and what was asked of them within that particular situation.

Willis was a project when he came out. He is physically gifted, but couldn't read defenses and literally had to learn how to play the position at the NFL level. When he came into the league he was lost. When a quarterback is not handed the starting QB position, teams don't build an entire offensive system around them. They struggle mightily to learn how to play in a system they never played in before, using a completely new language, and some of these guys never called a play in a huddle in their entire lives. They are set up for failure.

The Malik Willis I saw play in Green Bay doesn't resemble the player I saw earlier in his career. Sometimes it takes players a long time to figure it all out and to play in a system that fits them perfectly to get the most out of them. The system quarterbacks play in, and coaching is a huge factor in player development.

That doesn't mean that Willis is going to be a star. The sample size is still very small, but if he can be signed for a reasonable number he could be worth a long look.

 

Montana retired over 30 years ago. The game has changed a bit, including the size of the players.

 

My concern with Willis is that I'm not sure he can succeed without LaFleur or someone like him.

 

Malik Willis.
I'd pass on him.

Unless
We start from scratch regarding our coaching staff and can nab a OC that is off McVay, Shanahan, LeFluer or Conners staff.
Maybe Sean Payton's staff.

 

Willis if only it was a 1-2 year low money deal.

 

That should be everyone's concern. I don't think we know enough about Willis at this point. He is clearly doing well within LaFleur's offense. Something has definitely clicked because he looked like different player in Green Bay when I have seen him play.

Finding a system that works best for a quarterback is half the battle. Willis may not be able to operate well in any other system.

I'm not saying that he would or wouldn't work out. I'm saying that there is a ton of digging and evaluation that would have to be done to get a better picture of what type of player they would be getting.

The physical gifts are there. Does he have the necessary ability to read defenses pre-snap, post-snap, and the processing that is required to play the position at a high level? That is the real question. That needs to be determined in some form before they even think about bringing him in. That's where you hope that the team knows someone close to the situation that can give them some insight into the player.

 

Agree. I wouldn't mind if they got LaFleur to replace Tomlin and he brought Willis with him as the starter, but I'm not sure that is realistic.

 

The way college football is will only make this worse. There will be a lot of shuffling in the portal and kids will play for multiple college systems (which are, far from NFL schemes). They come out with little experience at all and having bounced around from team to team. NFL QB's fail not because the NFL can't develop talent, but because they don't receive the talent they used to when college QB's stayed and learned at one school in an NFL type of system.

Only time will tell, but I think that Willis is at least an option... even if it is just to compete with Howard for the job.

 

Darnold, and Baker are the same Qbs they have always been. They just have more experience, and are on better teams, still not Qbs I would sign to a big contract.

 

I totally agree with everything you said except midget Willis. I wouldn't touch him.

 

I can't agree. Some of the greatest players I've ever seen didn't get drafted in the first round. We just went 10-7 three years straight with Old Wilson, Old Rodgers, Mason , Trubisky, Fields, and Pickett. If our New HC , and staff is good we should at least be respectable. I'm not saying win a SB, playoff game, or even the season, but at least not be losers.

 

Willis at 6'1" is 3 inches taller than Kyler Murray.

 

I doubt if Willis 6'1, more like 5'10 or 5'11. And Murray is way shorter than 5'10, probably 5'7 or 5'8. Anyway, I'd take a hard pass on both of those shorties.

 

I saw Willis when he was at Liberty vs. Army. He looked 6' max.

 

Willis is built like a fullback. He weighs 225 lbs.

 

And that should be a good thing. New beginnings

 

Eh, he's tall enough. 6'0'' isn't a terrible height. A lot of the top prospects in the next couple drafts aren't much taller (maybe 6'1'' or 6'2''). I'd be more concerned if he was 5'10'' or something, but I think he's tall enough.

 

Sometimes it's better that quarterbacks play in different systems. Playing in a bunch of different offenses shows a player's capacity to learn. It isn't easy learning a new language and being able know all the assignments on the field in a few months.

I think the key is always identifying the strengths of the quarterback and then building the offense around that. The evaluation process is difficult, but if a player can process information quickly and shows he can throw the football accurately and with enough velocity, there is something to develop there. Any abilities beyond that are a bonus.

I guess you can say that every team needs a quarterback whisperer and a very good quarterback scouting specialist. Find the clay and then shape it into the best quarterback they can be in a system that best fits their talents.

It will never be an exact science, but let's hope they identify a good, young QB that becomes everything we are all hoping for.

 

In college he had maybe the worst O line I have sever seen.

 

I agree that there have been amazing players drafted late. Brady being the best example IMO. AB was very late. Harrison wasn't even drafted!

But as I said about, the probabilities are important (no matter what Han Solo thinks!).

 

It is hard to be a deep learner in a system if you're changing. Would it help to learn one system deeply? Or surface level of multiple? I honestly don't know the answer to that question.

 

QB's are different than 15 years ago. When you're a statue, height matters... When you're on the run or rolling out, then the height matters less. Between Young, Wilson, Murray, Purdy, Hurts, Mayfield, Williams, Tua... there are a good bit of QB's that are NFL guys at 6'1'' or under.

 

Learning one system and mastering every fine detail of it like the back of your hand is great if you are going to use that same system or a very similar system at the next level, but it isn't a requirement to mastering the offense quickly. Don't get me wrong, all knowledge and experience is good. Learning the intricacies of the offense and understanding not just how, but why things work is always a bonus because you take that knowledge with you and it helps you in whatever offense you are operating in. Routes have subtleties, but they are universal. But showing the aptitude to learn quickly and the ability to recall information is the most important part.

That's when things become more automatic and there is less thinking. It is almost a natural response and the processing goes to a different level. That's when a quarterback gets into the details like....If the safety is here when we are in this play, in this formation, and against this defense...this is where I go with the ball. Stuff like that. That's when a quarterback is able to more easily rip through reads and progressions. It helps you put the whole picture together of where to go with the ball and not have to go through every progression on every play as it is written up in a playbook. That is high-end quarterback play from the mental side of it. Then the physical takes over and all that entails.