Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis

39-Year-Old LinebackerLB
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Patrick Willis in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the 49ers in May of 2010.
Patrick Willis: (Toe) Announcing Retirement Tuesday
LBSan Francisco 49ers
Toe
March 10, 2015
Willis (toe) will announce his retirement Tuesday, the 49ers' official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Willis dealt with a chronic toe issue for the past few years, finally having season-ending surgery in November. His rehab presumably isn't going as hoped for, and it may be the case that Willis' toe will never be the same. It's unfortunate that such a tremendous player will be forced into retirement, but Willis at least made the most of his eight NFL seasons. He earned five First-Team All-Pro selections, including four in a row from 2009 to 2012. While the Hall of Fame process tends to overvalue longevity relative to peak performance, Willis is still a strong candidate to be enshrined in Canton. The 49ers have a number of issues, but they should actually be in pretty good shape at inside linebacker with both NaVorro Bowman (knee) and Chris Borland (ankle) expected to be healthy for 2015.
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NFL Stats
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2023 Patrick Willis Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Patrick Willis' measurables compare to other linebackers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 1"
 
Weight
240 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.51 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.46 sec
 
Cone Drill
7.23 sec
 
Vertical Jump
39.0 in
 
Broad Jump
119 in
 
Bench Press
22 reps
 
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Willis' IDP stock has taken a sizable tumble in recent years, as the former top IDP linebacker posted fewer than 105 tackles in two of the last three years. There are two reasons for the drop in Willis' value: one is injury troubles, including a groin injury and a broken hand last year; the second is the emergence of NaVorro Bowman, who piled up three straight years with at least 136 tackles. Bowman will likely miss around half of the 2014 season due to a torn ACL and MCL he suffered in January, so it's possible that Willis will have more tackle opportunities this year since he won't need to beat Bowman to ballcarriers. Willis offers solid pass-rushing stats and contributes in coverage, posting 11.5 sacks and three interceptions over the last four years, although he's only played 16 games once over that span.
Although Navorro Bowman has seemingly displaced Willis as the 49ers' top IDP, it's certainly not by much. In addition to 120 tackles (88 solo) from 2012, Willis produced two interceptions, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and a half-sack. He had two fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, two sacks and an interception despite missing three games in 2011. Bowman, meanwhile, has only one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, four sacks and one interception over the last two years. Willis has had a bit of injury trouble over that span, though, with shoulder, wrist and ankle difficulties flaring up last year and knee, hamstring and rib ailments slowing him down in 2011. Willis is 100 percent healthy at press time, however.
Once the unchallenged king of all IDPs, Willis has seen an array of players out-produce him the last two years, including teammate Navorro Bowman. It’s time for the pendulum to swing back, though. Willis is still the NFL’s best inside/middle linebacker by a safe margin, and he should get less attention from blockers in 2012 now that Bowman, Justin Smith and Aldon Smith have established themselves as terrors in the 49ers front seven. With fewer double-teams in his way Willis will find more tackle opportunities as well as better blitzing lanes. It’s worth noting, of course, that even these last two “down years” that saw Willis miss four games (three last year) resulted in numbers that project to 129 tackles (100 solo) and 4.5 sacks over 16 games. With offensive coordinators fretting over the Smiths’ pursuit of quarterbacks and Bowman’s 143-tackle debut as a starter, Willis should see less engagement from blockers and more freedom to pursue ballcarriers, making him a good bet to regain the production he showed during his first three years in the NFL, a span that saw him average 156 tackles (119 solo) per season. The law of averages and some nagging injuries made Willis’ numbers dip the last two years, but he still hasn’t been unseated as the top IDP.
After three straight years as the clear king of linebacker IDPs, Willis' numbers fell a bit in 2010, and Jerod Mayo took the crown. But even in this "down year," Willis still totaled 128 tackles (101 solo) and six sacks in 15 games. In 2011, expect Willis to reclaim his place as the top IDP. With a rare mixture of defensive back athleticism and elite instincts, Willis is perhaps the best inside linebacker in the league. Not only does he have the ceiling of a 174-tackle season, but with 467 stops (156 per season) in his first three years, his floor is clearly unmatched. He alone is the top tier among IDP linebackers.
Tackles are king in IDP scoring, which makes Willis — the NFL’s leading tackler — an easy choice as top linebacker, and top IDP option overall. A sideline-to-sideline playmaker, Willis has averaged more than 155 tackles in his three NFL seasons. Last season, he supplemented those gaudy numbers with four sacks and a career-high three picks. Minor offseason knee surgery shouldn’t hamper Willis this season; he’s expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp. The heart of Mike Singletary’s improving Niner defense was given a five-year contract extension in May.
Patrick Willis has tallied more than 300 tackles in two seasons, which makes choosing him top linebacker – and top IDP overall – easy. But wait, there’s more. He’s got plenty of room to improve – 2009 will be his third year in the league. And he couldn’t ask for a better tutor as he continues to learn the nuances of his position – Niners coach Mike Singletary does know a thing or two about playing middle linebacker. Willis totaled 141 tackles last season, and while that was 33 tackles off his rookie pace, it was still second in the league (D’Qwell Jackson, 154). It’s all the more impressive considering the ailments he fought off to play 16 games, including ankle, hip and rib injuries. Willis, who’s big, fast and has great range, also had a sack and an interception last year. Don’t be surprised to see him get more involved in the pass rush this season – if so, treat it as a bonus.
Willis had a tremendous rookie season in 2007, totaling 174 tackles and four sacks. What's more, he played half the season with a broken hand. Willis' sack production is a bonus at a position where sacks are typically in short supply. Our main criticism (if you can call it that) is that he's not much of an interception threat, but you can't argue with this guy's nose for the ball. With tackles a prime category in most IDP leagues, you really can't do better than Willis. He's big, fast and has great instincts.
Willis, who the 49ers selected 11th overall in this year's draft, is expected to compete with Derek Smith to start at left inside linebacker in the team's new 3-4 defensive scheme. Willis is a sure open-field tackler and possesses excellent football instincts and is penciled in right now as the starting "nickle linebacker." He should thrive working under linebacker coach Mike Singletary and could also see time at the "ted" linebacking spot, which which lines up on the tight end side and has to sift through more traffic, including guards and the fullback, limiting their tackles, behind Brandon Moore. If Willis does start, look for him to contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
More Fantasy News
Patrick Willis: (Toe) Strongly Considering Retirement
LBSan Francisco 49ers
Toe
March 9, 2015
Willis (toe) is reportedly strongly considering retirement, csnbayarea.com reports.
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LBSan Francisco 49ers
Toe
November 11, 2014
Willis (toe) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
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Patrick Willis: (Toe) Likely Out For Season
LBSan Francisco 49ers
Toe
November 11, 2014
Willis will likely need season-ending surgery on his injured toe, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 reports.
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LBSan Francisco 49ers
Toe
November 9, 2014
Willis (toe) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Saints.
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LBSan Francisco 49ers
Toe
November 7, 2014
Willis (toe) is questionable for Sunday's game against New Orleans.
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