ESPN: Seahawks would consider Malik Willis at 9, like Sam Howell on Day 2

The team also “likes” North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell, but would more likely target him on Day 2.

According to a report by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, the Seahawks “would consider” taking Liberty quarterback Malik Willis with the No. 9 overall pick if he’s still available tomorrow night in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. The team also “likes” North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell, but would more likely target him on Day 2.

Here are the details, per Bleacher Report:

“ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday on SportsCenter that the Seahawks would consider taking Liberty quarterback Malik Willis with the No. 9 pick if he is on the board. The Seahawks also like North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell, although they would be more likely to target him on Day 2, per Fowler.”

Willis is perhaps the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in the entire 2022 draft class. Our best-case comp for him is Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, but he could also have a career something like P.J. Walker, who’s our worst-case comp. Odds are he’ll fall somewhere in-between.

Howell is pretty much universally compared with Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who the Seahawks have been rumored to be interested in ever since the Deshaun Watson trade. So far, Mayfield has been the most inconsistent starter in the NFL outside of Jameis Winston. Teams taking Howell are betting that he’ll be more like the good version of Mayfield we saw in 2018 and 2020.

Somewhere in-between where these two QBs are projected is Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, who’s become the prospect most-connected to Seattle in the draft. The prevailing theory is they will either trade down from No. 9 target Ridder in the teens or a trade up from Nos. 40-41 and take him at the tail-end of the first round.

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Eagles continuing pre-draft due diligence on Liberty QB Malik Willis

Philadelphia Eagles brass recently had a long conversation with Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze about QB Malik Willis

The Eagles continue to say all the correct things about trusting Jalen Hurts, but the NFL draft evaluation process has proven that Howie Roseman is turning over every stone to find a franchise quarterback.

Philadelphia’s general manager kept a close eye on Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practices and the star quarterback’s head coach confirmed that the interest has continued.

During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze gave some insight into a long conversation he just had with the Eagles.

“Philadelphia has called here recently,” Freeze said. “I talked to them a lot last night.”

“I talked to Coach (Joe) Pannunzio last night. I think he is in their personnel. We go back from our days in SEC together,” Freeze said via 94WIP. “He was definitely calling on behalf of them with some more conversation.”

Pannunzio is Philadelphia’s assistant special teams coordinator and has SEC ties from his time at Alabama and other schools.

Willis has a rifle for an arm, and during the Senior Bowl, Roseman saw the rising prospect fire off medium-range passes, both from the pocket and on the run, with little to minimal effort.

Willis offers the rawest potential out of the 2022 group of passers, but if properly harnessed, he could become the NFC’s version of Josh Allen, something Eagles fans and owner Jeffrey Lurie covet.

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Malik Willis with spectacular pass on Liberty Pro Day

Malik Willis with a dazzling throw on his Pro Day

Malik Willis was looking to impress scout on Tuesday. He accomplished his mission with one long pass.

Check out the incredible throw right on the spot to the receiver as the Liberty quarterback unloaded on his Pro Day.

That’s a reason to be jubilant and there is every chance the QB will be celebrating next month after hearing his name called early in the 2022 NFL draft.