NFL Draft: Washington's Ron Rivera Compares Malik Willis To MVP Cam Newton

Say the Washington Commanders don't trade for quarterback this offseason. Say the organization is forced to draft a kid at No. 11 and hope this will finally be the answer for coach Ron Rivera's staff.

Malik Willis

Based on his comments from the NFL's Scouting Combine, Rivera might have a favorite when on the clock. That would be Liberty's Malik Willis, who continues to move up draft boards as potentially the consensus No. 1 quarterback of the class.

Rivera did not comment by name on any rookie quarterback during his media scrum. However, in an interview with CBS Sports, he spoke highly of Willis' skills, comparing him to Carolina Panthers great and former league MVP Cam Newton.

“You know what’s interesting about him in particular, is there are a lot of similar traits to these guys that’ve had success in our league,” Rivera said. “And I was fortunate enough to have drafted one of them in Cam Newton, who’s a very special player.”

When hired to be the Panthers head coach in 2011, Rivera used the No. 1 pick to select Newton out of Auburn. In nine seasons under Rivera's direction, Newton went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, MVP and helped lead Carolina to Super Bowl 50.

The ties between Willis and Newton don't stop as just dual-threat passers. In grade school, the Flames quarterback played in Newton's 7-on-7 program and spent the first three years of high school at Westlake, Newton's alma mater.

If that's not enough, Willis also attended Newton's collegiate alma mater, Auburn, before electing to transfer in 2019.

Malik Willis

Last season, Willis threw for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2021. He also rushed for 878 yards and 13 touchdown in his 13 starts. Since his performance at the Senior Bowl, he gained momentum to be the first quarterback selected on April 28.

“This young man has a tremendous skill set,” Rivera said. “Will some of those things he does translate? Absolutely. Will there be some things he’ll have to learn and develop and grow on? Absolutely. But I can tell you I’ve had the opportunity to interview him. He’s a heck of a young man and he shows he’s got the football acumen you need to be successful in this league.”

Willis did not run the 40 at the combine, but threw and looked the part of a capable starter. Could that happen with Willis in a Commanders' uniform in late April?

Rivera might just have that vision.