malik willis
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Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis.
It appears that the Las Vegas Raiders are leaning toward selecting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but some believe the team should consider trading down. It’s true that the Raiders have many needs all over the roster, but there isn’t a position more important than quarterback.
Geno Smith is still under contract, but last season went so poorly that it seems likely that the two sides part ways. That would put Mendoza in line to be the starter as a rookie.
He’s played a lot of games in college and worked in a pro style offense, so the transition to the NFL shouldn’t be too big of a leap. However, if the Raiders want to trade down, they could a haul of draft picks.
In that scenario, there is one veteran free agent quarterback with upside who could be interesting. Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert believes the Raiders should trade down and sign Packers free agent quarterback Malik Willis.
“Malik Willis would go CRAZY in (Klint) Kubiak’s system with the Raiders,” Benkert wrote on X. “They could pull a Chicago type Haul in the Bryce Young draft for that first pick and flip the script.
“Probably get Carnell Tate & some linemen.”
Is Willis a Starting QB?
Willis might be the most intersting player in free agency this offseason. He has started just six games in his career, but his last three starts have seen him go 2-1. He’s thrown six touchdowns and no interceptions over the last two seasons.
Willis was a very intriuging player coming into the 2022 NFL Draft. Though he played at a small school, he became a hot prospect due to his huge arm and strong athletic traits.
He hasn’t gotten many chances to play, but when he has with the Packers, he’s looked very solid. Since he’s going to be a free agent, he’s the perfect player for a team with a need at quarterback to take a chance on. He’s only 26 and has big-time potential. Plus, he shouldn’t cost too much money in free agency.
Is Willis a Better Fit for Raiders Than Mendoza?
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak run similar systems, so it wouldn’t be a huge learning curve for Willis. If the Raiders sign him and he ends up being a star, that would be one of the biggest moves in franchise history.
That said, it’s very risky. Willis is playing in a very quarterback-friendly offense and the Packers are consistently one of the best teams in the NFL. The Raiders do not have nearly the talent level as the Packers.
Plus, the sample size with Willis is very small. It’s difficult to know if he has what it takes to be a good starting quarterback. With Mendoza, the Raiders get a younger player who has proven a lot in college. Willis couldn’t consistently start games for a very bad Tennessee Titans team. He’s grown since his first couple of seasons, but it would be a big risk to pass on a prospect like Mendoza just to give Willis a chance.