2019 NFL Draft Profile: Gerald Willis III a fit for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
By Dylan Grimm
What is next for Willis?
Willis is going to have to answer a ton of questions from media and teams when it comes to his colored past, but his new-found maturity in his mid-twenties and proven leadership on and off the field should erase any worry a team may have. Willis managed to weather the storm of questions that came his way this past week in Indianapolis at the combine.
Scouts were looking for him to test well at the combine but as mentioned, Willis decided his injury was not quite healed and decided to sit out all physical events. This decision does not exactly hurt his stock but others performing well ultimately will have his stock decline if he does not have a good pro day.
What is encouraging is that in has limited time as a starter he was very productive on a defensive line that featured zero seniors outside of himself. He led Miami to a top-three defense nationally and was recognized for doing so and that should carry over to the next level.
There is still a ton of tread left on Willis’s tires and with the right scheme fit and Willis staying the course, we could be looking a future All-Pro. The worst case scenario for Willis on draft night would be to see his name hanging around in the third round, and the Bucs landing him there would be nothing short of a steal for Jason Licht, new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and the Buccaneers.