The Dolphins made their first splash of the free agency period by signing quarterback Malik Willis. A third-round pick by Tennessee in 2022, Willis was traded to Green Bay ahead of the 2024 season where he played efficient, explosive football in three starts and 11 appearances.
Let's get to know the newest addition to Miami's quarterback room.
1. Elite physical tools
Willis' physical prowess jumps off the tape. He can thread tiny windows with high-end velocity, win footraces with cornerbacks to the pylon on lengthy touchdown scampers and create when things break down.
"He can make any throw on the planet," Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur said last December. "I'd put him up against anybody."
For reference, LaFleur has coached Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. For further supporting evidence, Willis set a Senior Bowl record with a throw of an initial velocity measuring 75.7 miles per hour, that mark stands uncontested today. Those rocket throws are all over his tape, like this touchdown last December against the Ravens.
Willis didn't run the 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, but he did clock a 4.37 as a sophomore at Auburn.
2. Developing his game
Willis' sample size is limited. He has started six games and thrown 155 passes in four years as a pro. He was traded to the Packers 11 days before their 2024 season opener against Philadelphia. He finished that game and made his Packers starting debut the following week against Indianapolis—just 20 days after getting his new playbook. He posted a 126.8 passer rating, completed 85.7% of his passes, threw a touchdown and rushed for 41 yards in the win over the Colts. LaFleur was impressed by Willis' command of the offense despite wearing the green and gold for just three weeks.
"I don't think you guys can appreciate, or even comprehend, the task that Malik Willis [had] — I mean, this guy got here three weeks ago," LaFleur said after the game. "For him to be able to go out there and command our offense — we still had a lot of long calls. We had shifts, motions, a ton of different run schemes. There was a lot put on his plate, and for him to be able to go out there and do what he did today, I think that speaks volumes of who he is as a person and the work that he's put in. Just super proud of him. I think our coaches did a great job preparing him. Yeah, just really happy and proud of our football team."
3. Efficient, explosive
Willis' production continued through two more Packers starts and several relief appearances. He delivered a 30-14 win over the Titans in Week 3 of the 2024 season, throwing for 202 yards and adding 73 on the ground with a sterling 120.9 passer rating.
Willis would start one more game for the Packers in December 2025—a Week 17 matchup against Baltimore. He played three quarters against the Bears the week prior in a pivotal divisional showdown that went to overtime. In those two games, he combined for 409 yards passing, 104 rushing and four total touchdowns (two passing, two rushing), while completing 84.4% percent of his passes for a 139.6 passer rating.
His cumulative numbers in two years with the Packers: nine touchdowns (six passing, three rushing), no interceptions, 972 passing yards (10.9 yards per attempt), 261 rushing yards on 42 attempts (9.2 yards per rush), and a passer rating of 134.6.
The advanced metrics detail Willis' game even further. According to Pro Football Focus, Willis forced 11 missed tackles on his 42 rush attempts (26.1 percent), the most among any quarterback in the NFL. He also ranked first in on-target passes of any air yardage length (76.4 percent), second best on passes of 30-plus yards (67 percent), best on passes traveling 20-29 yards (90 percent) and third best on throws in the 10–19-yard range (71.4 percent).
Long story short, whether it's the deep ball, intermediate throws, quick game or using his legs, Willis provided a jolt to the Packers offense every time he stepped on the field.
For more analysis and insight on Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis, and all the Dolphins new acquisitions, download the Drive Time podcast with Travis Wingfield.
