Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Sun 11/6/22 7:03 PM

With Ryan Tannehill (ankle) inactive for Sunday night's game against the Chiefs, Willis is in line for his second consecutive start at QB for the Titans, Turron Davenport of ESPN reports.
EDGE Analysis
In last weekend's 17-10 win over the Texans, Willis completed 6-of-10 passing attempts for 55 yards with one interception and no TDs, while adding five carries for 12 yards in a contest in which the Titans leaned heavily on running back Derrick Henry. A similar approach could again be in order Sunday if game flow allows for it, though Willis should throw more frequently than he did against Houston. With that in mind, the 2022 third-rounder is a speculative fantasy option in Week 9 against the 5-2 Chiefs, but the rookie does at least represent an alternative for those who normally rely on Tannehill or who are seeking short-term help in QB-heavy formats with six NFL teams currently on bye.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Sun 11/6/22 9:54 AM

Willis took most of the first-team reps in practice this week and could be on tap for another start Sunday in Kansas City with Ryan Tannehill (ankle) listed as questionable for the contest but uncertain to be available, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Though Tannehill traveled to Kansas City and is being treated as a game-time decision, Rapoport relays that the quarterback was "very, very limited" in practice this week after sitting out the Titans' Week 8 win over the Texans. While Tannehill plans to do everything he can to play, Rapoport suggests that there's "not a lot of optimism" the veteran signal-caller will be ready to play. With that in mind, Willis may be primed for a second consecutive start, but the Titans would undoubtedly prefer to lean heavily on the Derrick Henry-led ground attack for as long as the game flow allows for it. Even so, keeping pace with the Chiefs' prolific offense won't be an easy task, so if Willis starts, expect him to drop back more frequently than he did last week, when he attempted just 10 passes. While the rookie is unproven as a passer at the NFL, Willis demonstrated elite rushing ability in college and during the preseason, so he could have some intrigue in leagues that start two quarterbacks or have a QB flex lineup spot available. Fantasy managers will still want to have an alternative plan on hand for Willis, however, if Tannehill avoids the inactive list ahead of Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Sun 10/30/22 10:37 PM

Willis completed six of 10 passes for 55 yards and an interception while adding 12 rushing yards on five carries in Sunday's 17-10 win over the Texans.
EDGE Analysis
The 2022 third-round pick didn't look ready for prime time in his first career start and failed to make an impact with his arm or his legs. Fortunately for Willis and the Titans, Derrick Henry was once again trampling the Texans defense into the dirt, and they didn't need the rookie QB to do much. Ryan Tannehill (ankle) could be ready to return next week, but if he isn't Willis will need to raise his game significantly in a road matchup against Kansas City.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Sat 10/29/22 2:58 PM

Willis is expected to start Sunday against the Texans with Ryan Tannehill (illness/ankle) officially unable to play, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Tannehill started each of the Titans' past 49 games, but with the veteran on the mend due to an ankle sprain and also struggling with an illness, the team will turn to the 2022 third-round pick to make his first career start. It's possible Willis could actually improve a passing attack that currently ranks 25th in the NFL given Houston's defense will have to account for the rookie's explosiveness as a runner, but it's also fair to point out Willis' struggles throughout the preseason, which account for his only real action at the NFL level. Expect a heavy dose of Derrick Henry to help Willis ease his way into the contest to start, but provided the Titans uncork the athletic weapon, the Liberty product could be in for an intriguing fantasy day.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Fri 10/28/22 3:21 PM

Willis took reps with the first-team offense at Friday's practice and would be in line to start Sunday against the Texans if Ryan Tannehill (ankle) -- who is listed as questionable for the contest -- is unable to play, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Tannehill has started each of the Titans' last 49 games, but his availability for Week 8 is in jeopardy after he missed a pair of practices this week -- including Friday's session -- while managing a right ankle injury. According to McCormick, head coach Mike Vrabel said that the Titans will likely wait as long as possible to see how Tannehill heals up from the injury before determining the quarterback's availability for Sunday's contest, so Tannehill is seemingly trending toward a game-time decision ahead of the 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. If Tannehill is inactive this weekend or dresses an emergency backup, Willis, a rookie third-round pick out of Liberty, would at least make for an intriguing option in DFS contests or in two-quarterback or superflex season-long leagues. Willis has taken just 19 regular-season snaps, but the dual-threat signal-caller turned some heads in the preseason with 28 completions for 318 yards and two touchdowns on 51 attempts while amassing 159 yards and a score on 14 carries.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Tue 9/20/22 9:02 PM

Willis completed one of four passes for six yards to go along with no touchdowns and no interceptions in Monday's 41-7 loss to the Bills. He added four rushes for 16 yards.
EDGE Analysis
Willis played the final 19 minutes of the game, entering in relief of Ryan Tannehill in the midst of the blowout loss. He struggled with his accuracy as a passer -- his lone completion went to Austin Hooper -- and also lost a fumble. On the other hand, he did show his potential as a rusher, one of the factors that made him an intriguing prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. Despite Ryan Tannehill's early struggles, Willis will almost certainly remain the backup for the majority -- if not the entirety -- of the campaign.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Sun 8/28/22 12:15 AM

Willis completed 15 of 23 passes for 131 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Saturday's 26-23 preseason win over Arizona. He added four rushes for 79 yards.
EDGE Analysis
Willis had his most impressive statistical performance of the preseason, and he delivered a few highlight-reel plays in the process. Early in the second quarter, he escaped from the pocket and ripped off a 50-yard gain on the ground, which set up a touchdown plunge from Julius Chestnut. Three possessions later, he capped off an eight-play, 60-yard drive on an impressive 14-yard touchdown throw to fellow rookie Treylon Burks during which he dropped his arm slot to fit the ball through defenders at the line. Willis has had an inconsistent preseason, but he has shown glimpses of the promise that he showed while a prospect for the NFL Draft.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Sat 8/27/22 5:02 PM

Willis is expected to start Saturday's preseason contest against the Cardinals, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
This shouldn't come as a surprise, as the Titans have been cautious with incumbent starter Ryan Tannehill. The rookie third-round pick has had an up-and-down preseason, showing impressive flashes of talent during both of the preseason games to date while struggling with pocket awareness. Expect Willis to play a substantial amount in the first half as the Titans continue to evaluate their mobile QB.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Sat 8/20/22 10:56 PM

Willis completed seven of 17 pass attempts for 80 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and rushed five times for 42 yards during the Titans' 13-3 preseason win over the Buccaneers on Saturday night.
EDGE Analysis
Willis started the game as expected with Ryan Tannehill getting the night off and was consistently frustrated early, as the Titans turned it over on downs and punted twice apiece in their first four possessions while gaining a total of just 34 yards. However, Willis subsequently helped lead a 13-play, 78-yard march that ended in a Randy Bullock field goal and then threw a six-yard touchdown toss to Chigoziem Okonkwo just before halftime. The rookie third-round pick took another three sacks as well, so it's clear he has plenty of work to do when it comes to pocket awareness and accuracy while working as Tannehill's understudy this coming season. Willis should get another solid allotment of playing time with which to continue working out the kinks next Saturday night against the Cardinals in Tennessee's preseason finale.

Malik Willis
QB MIA (12)
Sat 8/20/22 5:11 PM

Willis will start at quarterback in Saturday's preseason game against Tampa Bay, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Willis had an up-and-down pro debut in Baltimore last week, mixing highlights with questionable decisions. Coach Mike Vrabel criticized the rookie for scrambling around too much, but Willis nonetheless will play ahead of Logan Woodside again Saturday night.