Malik Willis was discarded out of Tennessee’s good graces so quickly that they went and took Will Levis in the second round this year to (theoretically) be the future. If you have been on our website before you would know we were never fans of Will Levis. We had him as a day 2 prospect when most were shocked to see him not go in round 1. Reports have come out that not only has Levis struggled, but Willis has appeared to take a big step forward. This makes you wonder, can Willis still be the answer for the Titans moving forward?
People, including Tennessee’s front office, seem to have forgotten how much of a project Willis was. His mechanics were messy at the combine, yet he showed good leadership and an attitude that should allow him to continue to make strides. Patience is not something you see much anymore in the NFL with young players, especially quarterbacks. Just look at the Packers and Jordan Love. He could be a pro bowl QB moving forward and there will still be those complaining due to the fact that he sat for multiple seasons. Willis was not a top ten pick that was massively disappointing, instead a third round with expected growing pains and massive potential. He got some negative press when the Titans refused to play him late last season, but maybe that is for the best? He was not pressed into action and did not have his confidence shattered in a meaningless game
Levis was good value in the second, there’s no denying that. He has a strong arm and decent upside and, even though he was not a first rounder in our eyes, the Titans got good value here on a player that is more of a project than supporters want to admit. The only problem? They already have a QB with rare athleticism and a strong arm that is a project with a lot of upside. Ask yourselves this though, would the Titans be better off with Levis and Willis or Willis and another receiver that is desperately needed. The answer seems obvious with the latest news, but All 32 teams passed on Levis for a reason and Tennessee should have considered the upside of having another wide receiver next to Burks instead of a day 3 pick and a couple UDFAs.
Time will tell whether Malik Willis or Will Levis (or neither?) is the future at quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. One thing is for sure though, taking Levis over an offensive skill player due to impatience with Malik Willis could set the team back a lot, as could other questionable draft picks. The Titans feel like a team that will be stuck in mediocrity, and possibly drafting their third quarterback in 3 years if they are bad enough. We just hope Willis gets his shot or gets traded to a place that could actually develop him.