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There’s been some mixed opinions about who is the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Several QBs are strong prospects who should get taken early when the draft arrives in late April, but it’s been up for debate who should be the first one selected.
Recently, ESPN’s Todd McShay updated his big board for the 2022 class, and he didn’t include any quarterbacks in the top 5. However, he made it clear who he believes is now the clear-cut top QB available — Liberty’s Malik Willis, who McShay ranked at No. 6.
McShay praised Willis’ “wow” factor and the fact that he can extend plays with his legs. Willis, who transferred to Liberty after starting his college career at Auburn, is surely an exciting player.
And McShay also already has a potential scenario that could unfold: Willis to the Philadelphia Eagles.
During an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up” this week, McShay stated that he believes the Eagles should take Willis if they’re in position to do so, even though they already have Jalen Hurts on their roster.
“Jalen Hurts, he’s played within the system,” McShay said on the show. “I wouldn’t say that he’s the biggest reason why the Eagles are struggling, but I don’t think he’s the answer moving forward if you’re trying to build a championship roster and trying to make a legitimate run at a Super Bowl.
“So if they’re in position to get Malik Willis, who has emerged as the No. 1 clear-cut quarterback in this year’s class coming out of Liberty, I think they have to make that pick. … I think he creates more and he’s more dynamic throwing the ball on the run and throwing the ball down the field than Hurts has been in his first couple of years with the Eagles.”
.@McShay13 thinks Malik Willis out of Liberty > Jalen Hurts as QB1 for the Eagles ?
"If they're in position to get Malik Willis, who has emerged as the No. 1 clear-cut QB in this year's class … I think they have to make that pick." pic.twitter.com/eUYL9Uoia6
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 27, 2021
Philadelphia owns 3 first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, so it could have the flexibility to take a quarterback and use the other 2 selections to address other needs. Or if the Eagles aren’t picking high enough to land a QB like Willis, they could package some picks together to move up in the order.
Either way, it would be an interesting situation to see develop if Philadelphia ends up with both Hurts and Willis on its roster in the future and how that could possibly unfold.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
