Denver Broncos take QB in PFN 2022 mock draft
Add Pro Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson as someone who can see the Denver Broncos move on from quarterback Drew Lock in 2022. That appears to have happened in his latest mock draft.
While the jury is still out on the quarterback class of the 2022 NFL Draft, Hodgkinson has the Denver Broncos (draft order based on Las Vegas odds), selecting Liberty quarterback Malik Willis.
This is a sign of multiple things. For one, Drew Lock just isn’t the answer. Number two, Teddy Bridgewater ain’t it, either. Number three? The Broncos could acquire Aaron Rodgers and have Willis sit for however long.
That may not happen, though. If a Rodgers deal falls through, the Broncos have Lock and Bridgewater as options, with what may be a strong possibility of selecting that future franchise quarterback in the first round.
Willis played 22 games in three years at Liberty, including 2020 when he played 10 games. In that year, he completed 170 of his 265 pass attempts (181-of-279 for his career) for 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. In his entire career, his touchdown to interception ratio was 21-6.
As you can imagine, yes, his lack of complete experience is a concern. Would it be worth it for the Denver Broncos to take a quarterback who has not played extensively at the college level?
Per Pro Football Network’s scouting report on Willis, the quarterback, while having a very strong arm and the very useful ability to escape the pass rush, needs to spend more time with his decision-making. With improved play-calling and a couple of star pass catchers the Denver Broncos have, it may be worthwhile for the team to take a shot with Willis.
As for Drew Lock, if the Broncos do not see improvement from him in 2021, it may be time for them to move on. That is, assuming he beats out Bridgewater for the starting job. If he doesn’t, the selection of Willis may be even more likely.
We will just have to wait and see how this quarterback class shakes up following the 2021 college football season. As of right now, Willis is viewed as a potential first-round pick by the Broncos.