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3 Quarterbacks the Atlanta Falcons could target in the draft

By Nick Halden

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 04: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs against Luiji Vilain #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Traveon Redd #17 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Logan Whitton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 04: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs against Luiji Vilain #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Traveon Redd #17 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Logan Whitton/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, ALABAMA – DECEMBER 18: Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames rushes for a touchdown during the second half of the LendingTree Bowl against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Hancock Whitney Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
MOBILE, ALABAMA – DECEMBER 18: Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames rushes for a touchdown during the second half of the LendingTree Bowl against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Hancock Whitney Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

3. Malik Willis has all the tools to be a successful starting quarterback in the NFL

Malik Willis is a smart athlete who can scramble and has a B+ arm his problem has been staying healthy and not pressing. Willis behind Ryan could work and allow the former Liberty quarterback to learn on the job and give Ryan a mobile backup if an injury were to strike.

Willis developed as a passer during his time at Liberty his growth was evident both early this season and throughout. He has steadily improved as a passer learning to get to his second and third reads before taking off outside of the pocket.

The one issue with Willis is the fact he plays at times too hard for his position. Meaning he allows himself to take a lot of punishment trying to get that extra yard. Atlanta drafting Willis makes a lot of sense when you consider where he is in his career.

Learning behind a pocket passer like Matt Ryan would be ideal for Willis and allow him to continue to develop. Willis doesn’t have the strongest arm in his draft class but has enough arm to stretch the field and has to be respected as a scrambler.

Drafting Willis is certainly a risk for Atlanta but it is hard to imagine Willis being a bigger miss than Ryan’s current backup.