Malik Willis preseason debut, highlights: Titans rookie shows upside with strong play vs. Ravens

Abraham Smith

Malik Willis caught his first NFL game action on Thursday. The Liberty third-round rookie started for the Titans with No. 1 QB Ryan Tannehill in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL preseason.

There were high hopes for Willis’ debut. He had attracted attention as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and posted strong numbers – 2,857 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 11 interceptions; 878 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns – in his final season at Liberty.

He didn’t disappoint.

MORE: Why Malik Willis fell to the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft despite first-round excitement

Willis played just over half the game. He wasn’t perfect, but he produced great highlights that showcased his explosive playmaking skills. The Sporting News breaks down his performance.

Highlights from Malik Willis’ Titans debut

Willis did not have a good start. He was under constant pressure on the first drive of the game and nearly threw an interception as the Titans went three and out.

Willis failed to complete each of his first three passes and it looked like Tennessee would struggle to move the ball against the Ravens. But after three failed rides, he began to show his two greatest assets: arm strength and agility.

Agility showed up first. The Titans made a concerted effort to get him moving after the Ravens’ pass rush shook him early on. That meant more bootlegs, which gave it a chance to run.

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Those roll-outs set Willis up for the first touchdown of his preseason. He capped a 72-yard drive with an impressive 7-yard touchdown run, sharply changing direction and passing the defense to the corner of the end zone.

As Willis began to move around more and completed a few short passes, he was able to do better as a passer.

On his first game after his touchdown, he and the Titans opted for a deep shot against the Baltimore defense. He threw his best pass of the night, locating it perfectly and allowing Racey McMath to make an easy 48-yard reception.

That throw put the Titans within goal range, but another throw on the drive also stood out. On a second-and-4, Willis was under pressure when he sidearmed tight end Tommy Hudson, who rumbled 5 yards for a first down.

Willis played a few snaps after halftime. He ripped off a 17-yard scramble before exiting the game for good. Overall, he completed 6 of 11 passes for 128 yards and an 88.1 passer rating. He rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown on five carries.

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There were blips on the radar. Willis fired high on a few throws and was dismissed twice, including once at the end of the first half.

Nevertheless, the positive aspects outweighed the negative. Willis showed he has the tools to be a future starter. He will need time to develop them. Therefore, he is not expected to overtake Tannehill as the Titans’ starter during his rookie season.

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