Steelers could pursue QB Malik Willis after strong Senior Bowl week

The Pittsburgh Steelers had their brass on hand at the Senior Bowl, and they are starting to seem infatuated with Liberty QB, Malik Willis. 

The NFL Draft process isn’t exactly a ‘game of chess’ like everyone assumes. Contrary to popular belief, the reality is that teams just don’t do a very good job of hiding their interests leading up to April.

This was abundantly clear when it came to the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason. Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert met with Najee Harris on several occasions, while their front office repeatedly voiced that they need to improve the run game. When Najee was selected with the 24th overall pick, nobody should have been surprised.

I know it’s very early in the draft process, but there is one player who really seems to be high on Pittsburgh’s radar: Liberty QB Malik Willis.

Willis was far from perfect in 2021 and actually regressed in some areas. However, it’s easy to see the traits and upside that get teams excited. During Senior Bowl week, Willis was clearly a notch above the other quarterbacks. It was easy to see the difference between him and the next-best guy in terms of arm velocity, throwing angles, and mobility.

The NFL seems to be trending towards these types of traits at the quarterback position, and the Steelers don’t want to get left behind. During numerous press conferences during the 2021 season, head coach Mike Tomlin expressed the importance of mobility at the quarterback position in a game that is changing.

Willis is an option for the Steelers

Because of everything the team has hinted at, it was no surprise to see Pittsburgh’s brass have an extended meeting with Malik Willis early in Senior Bowl week. This included Mike Tomlin, Kevin Colbert, and offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Owner Art Rooney II was even on the sidelines for this event.

After a very impressive week at the Senior Bowl, Willis is not just on Pittsburgh’s NFL Draft radar; he’s no doubt on the radar of several other teams looking for a quarterback this year — and it’s not hard to see why.

While there’s no guarantee that the former Liberty quarterback will be able to clean up his decision-making or become a great passer over the middle of the field, he clearly has the traits that are coveted for today’s NFL passers, and the upside is undeniable.

Sadly, acquiring Malik Willis in the NFL Draft could cost more than the 20th overall pick for the Steelers. Because of the apparent talent gap at the Senior Bowl, some believe that Willis could now crack the top 10. Even before a strong Senior Bowl week, NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Willis as the first quarterback taken in his most recent mock draft.

For fans who aren’t on board with Willis in the first round, it would be an even bigger blow to watch them trade elite draft capital to move up higher in order to select him. However, if the Steelers are sold on him, this is an option I can’t rule out for Pittsburgh in April.

At the end of the day, the Steelers brass clearly has an interest in QB Malik Willis and I expect that to remain strong throughout the pre-draft process. Willis has the tools they are looking for in their next quarterback but has the makings of a ‘low-floor, high-ceiling’ prospect this year.