First Impressions of Willis From Rookie Camp

NASHVILLE – In relation to NFL rookies, few prospects draw as a lot quick consideration as extremely drafted quarterbacks.

Such was the case over the weekend for Malik Willis. Each snap, throw and scramble through the Tennessee Titans’ rookie orientation got here beneath scrutiny.

A 3rd-round choice out of Liberty College, Willis is the Titans’ highest-drafted quarterback because the group took Marcus Mariota with the second general choose in 2015.

The truth that circumstances make it appear potential — perhaps eve possible — Willis will probably be a starter in 2023 solely provides to the intrigue.

Listed below are 5 first-impression observations on Willis, who predictably had good and dangerous moments in his first style of the NFL.

“That was rather a lot higher than what I believed it was going to go like,” he stated. “You undergo one thing for the primary time, you don’t know what to anticipate. All people put their opinions on the market about what they suppose, however don’t no person know till you undergo it.

“I used to be simply actually, actually appreciative of (quarterbacks coach Pat O’Hara and offensive coordinator Todd Downing) in simply making ready us to get on the market and simply go have enjoyable, play the sport we like to play. I felt actually good about it.”

• Arm energy – What was thought of one among Willis’ best attributes did certainly stand out through the minicamp. It wasn’t essentially 60-yard throws downfield that I’m speaking about, as Willis actually didn’t throw plenty of deep passes. However the zip on his extra routine passes was spectacular.

Just a few particularly come to thoughts: One was a brief out path to fifth-round choose Kyle Philips, the sort of move that quarterbacks can’t miss to the within due to the likelihood a closing cornerback might snatch it for a pick-six. However Willis’ move was a rope — proper heading in the right direction, ensuring nobody however Philips had an opportunity to catch it.

One other throw Willis appeared particularly comfy with was the seam sample to the tight finish. He was on the cash with a couple of throws to speedy fourth-round choose Chig Okonkwo, providing a tempting glimpse of a future connection between the rookies.

Willis additionally smoked a couple of passes to targets over the center, hitting mid-range targets in a rush. One was to undrafted SMU receiver Reggie Roberson, who hauled in a Willis fastball for what would have been acquire.

• The mechanics query – Willis’ throwing movement takes somewhat little bit of getting used to. For starters, he doesn’t come excessive. It’s actually not a Phillip Rivers state of affairs, however in all probability extra of a three-quarters motion. Willis’ arm additionally seems to remain somewhat tighter to his physique than is typically seen. A variety of NFL quarterbacks have discovered success throwing from all types of various angles in recent times, so it’s actually not an enormous pink flag. But it surely’s value questioning if Willis might want to make any adjustments to the movement, contemplating he’s 6-foot-1.

One other factor that regarded a bit completely different was Willis’ behavior of selecting up his proper foot as he adopted via on his throws. One would suppose that may have an effect on the speed of his throws, nevertheless it actually didn’t seem to.

Will probably be fascinating to see how a lot – if in any respect — the Titans attempt to change Willis’ base and throwing movement. He did, in any case, throw for a mixed 5,107 yards and 47 touchdowns over the past two seasons at Liberty utilizing his present mechanics.

• Accuracy – Willis was good, however not nice, on this division throughout group and seven-on-seven drills Friday and Saturday. As talked about, Willis’ arm energy made for some very spectacular darts delivered each to the sideline and over the center. There have been some off-target tosses as effectively, with a type of situations forcing Philips – open on a brief crossing route – to have to show and catch the ball behind his physique.

One factor that appeared shocking was that when Willis was working in particular person quarterback drills – merely standing nonetheless and throwing to trainers or managers – he missed a couple of stationary targets at medium vary, throwing excessive or broad. One potential clarification: Willis might need been utilizing these classes with O’Hara to work on changes to his base or mechanics, which might clearly have affected the throwing movement.

• Thickness – Willis carries his 219 kilos on a thickly muscled body. The rookie minicamp was non-contact (and quarterbacks wouldn’t be hit in observe anyway), so we don’t but know for certain what the highly effective construct will imply. However presumably, it ought to assist Willis deal with a few of the hits – whether or not on the run or within the pocket – that he’ll finally tackle the NFL stage.

Bear in mind, this can be a quarterback that broke extra tackles (89) than some other participant – together with working backs – on the FBS stage final season, per Professional Soccer Focus. He additionally performed all 13 Liberty video games final season regardless of getting sacked 51 occasions, most within the FBS. So he can each ship and soak up punishment.

“I simply acquired to present glory to God on that one,” Willis stated when requested about his energy. “Pray prefer it’s as much as God, work prefer it’s as much as you. I simply attempt to exit daily and attempt to get higher, whether or not it’s on the sector or within the weight room.”

• Perseverance and poise – There have been occasions throughout Friday’s preliminary minicamp session that Willis regarded somewhat frazzled. It wasn’t a lot his play through the group drills that was a problem, however extra what led as much as the performs. The offense made a number of pre-snap errors within the early going (some as a consequence of quarterback cadence), and Willis additionally had a tough time dealing with snaps beneath middle – after enjoying nearly completely beneath shotgun at Liberty.

However issues progressed for Willis and the offense on Friday, and regarded a lot smoother on Saturday, with noticeably fewer breakdowns and dangerous snaps.

Willis additionally didn’t come aside on the seams after a foul toss, such because the interception he threw to sixth-round defensive again Theo Jackson on Saturday.

“I feel it acquired higher,” Vrabel stated of Willis’ work on Friday. “It acquired higher in seven-on-seven, and that’s all we’re in search of is to make some enhancements and have a fantastic perspective and be coachable, be keen to be taught.”

Added Willis: “Hey, we acquired one p.c (higher) every day, that’s all we’re making an attempt to get. In 100 days, you’ll be one hundred pc higher. That’s what (Vrabel) advised me, so it’s all good, and (I’m) simply going to work daily.”

Willis additionally confirmed a poise and luxury stage in his first reside session with Titans media, easily coping with the Ryan Tannehill mentor remark that would have confirmed awkward.

“It was by no means something unfavourable,” Willis stated. “Ryan’s dude. Like I stated, he had us over to the home, man. Every little thing’s cool.”