Mobile, AL — Sam Howell was the best quarterback inside Hancock Whitney Stadium on Tuesday, and it wasn’t particularly close. Howell played on a different tier of comfortability from the other quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl today. He looked confident and decisive in his actions, and he was consistently accurate. Could the Detroit Lions show interest in the North Carolina signal-caller in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Sam Howell could be a Detroit Lions target
It was easy to see Howell played on a different level than the rest of his competition at the 2022 Senior Bowl. Although it’s unlikely Howell garners enough consideration for the second overall pick, the Lions could fall in love with him. They’ll have either the 31st or 32nd pick and also own the 34th selection. They could package together those picks to move up and make sure they don’t lose out on him.
However, if they do fall in love with Howell and don’t love any other options, the Lions could surprise us and take him with that No. 2 overall pick.
Howell could revive stock with a huge Senior Bowl week
To begin the season, Howell was considered one of, if not the top quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft. But after losing four NFL-level weapons, he was unable to replicate his statistical output in 2021.
It wasn’t all bad, though. Howell added an element to his game we didn’t know he had. In 2021, he rushed for 828 yards on the season. He’s not a running quarterback, but he’s a tough runner and showed that he can pick up yards on the ground, which is often necessary for young quarterbacks growing as passers.
If he continues to prove he’s on a tier of his own in Mobile, Howell’s stock could get closer to where it was before the season.
Scouting notes
PFN Draft Analyst Oliver Hodgkinson’s excellent scouting report on Howell can be found here. Howell’s decision-making needs to be fine-tuned. Too often, he’s making poor decisions with the ball, and it’s held down his draft stock.
Howell doesn’t have ridiculous physical tools, but he has a plus arm and is a naturally accurate passer. Defenses at the Senior Bowl are pretty bare-bones, but Howell consistently made outstanding decisions throughout the course of the first practice.
But making the correct decision at the wrong time is something all young quarterbacks struggle with. On Day 1, Howell made timely decisions. If he can continue to play with this level of control, it’ll quell some concerns.