The 2022 NFL Draft is coming fast, which means everybody will be releasing mock drafts to give their opinion on what the Detroit Lions should do.
The latest mock draft we have come across is from Ryan Matthews of POD and he has the Lions making what would be a controversial pick but selecting QB Malik Willis with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Nation, if you have been following my articles (thank you), you are well aware that I have been driving the Draft Malik Willis train since the conclusion of the 2020 season so you know I would be fine with this pick.
But what do you think?
Here is Matthew’s rationale for taking Willis with the No. 2 overall pick:
Back in February, I outlined why it would be wise for the Lions to draft a quarterback with their second-overall pick. Many believe Jared Goff to be a bridge quarterback, the means to bigger and better things, but without having a succession plan in place, Detroit isn’t taking full advantage of this opportunity. Should the Lions draft Malik Willis, they’d put that plan in motion and set themselves up to hit the ground running in 2023.
It’s not a secret that Willis needs some time to acclimate to a pro-style offense. He also needs some time to break the bad habits he developed playing behind a porous offensive line at Liberty. But as Chris Burke of The Athletic highlighted in a piece last week, the strengths of Willis’ game—explosive arm strength, a strong runner who can extend plays and move the ball down the field with his arm or his legs—mesh well with the offensive identity Dan Campbell and new offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are trying to establish in Detroit.
Round 1, Pick 2: QB Malik Willis
Round 1, Pick 32: EDGE Boye Mafe
Round 2, Pick 34: S Lewis Cine
Round 3, Pick 66: LB Brandon Smith
Round 3, Pick 97: WR Wan’Dale Robinson
Please click here to see what Matthews has to say about the remainder of the Lions picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
