Malik Willis is the perfect fit for the Atlanta Falcons
By Nick Halden
![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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbloggingdirty-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1359760223-850x560-b479320f3c5e38bd029a9c6421a8ecf01a69abf23651d3b5b454210f4818a399.jpg)
If there is one quarterback the Atlanta Falcons should consider drafting this off-season it is former Liberty quarterback Malik Willis. Willis is part of an underwhelming quarterback class but has been impressive early on this off-season.
The thing that clearly stands out about Willis is his ability to get outside the pocket and still make great throws. He finished his final season with Liberty with 2,857-passing yards and 878-rushing yards with a combined 40-touchdowns scored for the Flames. His ability to make plays was electric and he alone was the offense during his time with Liberty. If something good happened on offense it was because Willis made a play.
One concern many will point out with Willis was the fact he often put his health on the line to make a play for his team. This is a great trait but for a quarterback it is a concern especially when you watched how much it took out of Willis late in the season. There is also the fact that he doubled his interceptions from the season before attempting to make plays.
Despite these concerns if the Atlanta Falcons want to take a quarterback they should look no further than Malik Willis
Malik Willis is the best fit for Atlanta when you look at the skill set he would bring to Atlanta. Willis can spend the next year or two learning behind Matt Ryan while still running specialty plays and playing a role with the team.
The only other potential fit for Atlanta if they choose to take a quarterback early could be Carson Strong. As great of a prospect as he is, however, Strong isn’t mobile and wouldn’t be able to have the instant impact on the offense that Willis could.
Malik is a special player who is going to be great at the next level if he can cut down on his turnover issues and learn when the right time is to take a hit. Sitting behind Matt Ryan in Arthur Smith’s offense would allow him to do just that and give the Falcons a chance at finding Ryan’s successor.
Drafting Willis would be a risk for a team that has so many needs to address on both sides of the ball. But if the Falcons believe now is the time to begin developing a quarterback behind Matt Ryan they should look no further than Malik Willis.
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