After a weekend full of moves, the 2022 NFL Draft is now officially in the books. However, stories about what happened “behind the scenes” in this event continue to come to light. And one of them has to do with a supposed interest of the Cowboys in choosing a quarterback.
The protagonist of that interest is Malik Willis, a Liberty product who was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round (pick #86 overall). This, it’s worth mentioning, after a trade with the Raiders that moved the Titans up from the #90 pick and put them ahead of the Cardinals, Cowboys and Bills.
Now why did Tennessee do this? According to speculation, the Cowboys may have been interested in taking Willis in the third round. And so the Titans moved to keep what could be their future franchise quarterback. This was pointed out by Ian Rapoport, a reporter for the NFL Network, this Monday morning.
.@RapSheet said he wondered if the Titans traded up to take Malik Willis at 86 because they thought that the Cowboys might take him. FWIW Dallas took Jalen Tolbert at 88.
(????: @nflnetwork) pic.twitter.com/LEy7RXlGrC
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) May 2, 2022
Malik Willis was projected to be a first-round pick along with Kenny Pickett. However, Pickett was the only quarterback picked in that round (#20 overall by the Steelers). From there, there were no quarterback picks until the third round, with Desmond Ridder (#74, Falcons) and Willis (#86) next in a highly unusual draft for this position.
Now, it is very strange that it is linked to the Liberty product with the Cowboys. It is worth mentioning that the cowboy leadership gave priority to players who had pre-Draft visits with the team, and Willis was not one of them. In fact, there was not a single marshal on those visits. So it doesn’t sound like Dallas had any intention of bringing in someone at that position.
Besides, it’s even more curious considering that Ian Rapoport is one of the most well-informed and respected journalists in the NFL world. Admittedly, this is Rapoport’s personal speculation. But this is something that does not stop attracting attention.
Updated 30 visit list for #Cowboys via @nfldraftscout. Can also add in Jordan Davis. pic.twitter.com/FNndJaRVbD
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 1, 2022
Should Dallas have gone for Malik Willis?
Of course, these speculations about a possible choice of Malik Willis make noise considering how questioned the figure of Dak Prescott is as Dallas’ franchise QB. However, and despite the fact that the Cowboys’ front office tends to make additions that don’t make much sense, this wasn’t going to be an addition to replace Dak as the starter.
At most, Willis’ potential selection would have been more about adding a new backup quarterback. This would have complicated the situation for Cooper Rush, who added merit after his first win as an NFL starter against the Vikings last season. And this without forgetting that Will Grier would look for opportunities to test his worth during camp and the preseason.
The Titans officially take QB Malik Willis from Liberty with the 86th overall pick.
Ryan Tannehill turns 34 in July and has no guaranteed salary after this season. Malik Willis will be able to sit back and learn in a great situation.#Titans | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ssaUn8boY5
— Holy Roller NFL (@HolyRollerNFL) April 30, 2022
Either way, and despite Stephen Jones’ pre-draft statements, the Cowboys stuck to their priority list in the draft: offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver and tight end. Also, with the need for them to add a receiver in Round 3, they were unlikely to spend that pick for a position that’s already filled.
As we said before, this is one of many stories and speculations that are part of the “hangover” after the NFL Draft. Every year there is at least one story related to a team. And Malik Willis’ potential pick is the one that revolves around Dallas. But one thing was clear: The Cowboys’ front office focused this year on reinforcing weakened positions with the litter from the Draft. And quarterback wasn’t one of those positions.
