Before the 2021 season, you couldn’t find a 2022 NFL mock draft that didn’t have Sam Howell getting drafted outside the top 10. The North Carolina quarterback was considered a top-two quarterback in the country. After losing two 1,000-yard rushers and two 1,000-yard receivers, his stock took a dip. So where does he land now? Let’s dive into Howell’s potential NFL Draft landing spots.
NFL Mock Draft 2022: Sam Howell’s draft projections
Sam Howell’s stock ranges from QB4 to QB7 now, which changed drastically from the year before. There are many questions about Howell’s game. At one point, many believed he’d return to school. Ushering in new players at key skill positions certainly made things difficult, so that could be the biggest reason for his stock falling.
Pro Football Network lists Howell as QB4 on our Top 300 Big Board. That’s good for 31st overall and puts him in the first round. A strong passer, Howell showcased his arm talent frequently in 2020. In 2021, he proved that he can be an outstanding runner too, rushing for 828 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Did Howell’s draft stock change after the NFL Combine?
While Howell didn’t participate in the athletic tests at the NFL Combine, that won’t affect his draft stock. NFL teams aren’t considering him because he can run fast or jump high. They want to see his arm talent.
It’s tough to knock a player when they lose as much talent and experience around them as Howell did. However, teams need to consider the most recent season. Howell’s yards and touchdown passes went down while his interceptions rose. Should that hurt his draft stock? No, but you never know how teams will look at it. Even if they do, his performance at the Combine and at North Carolina’s Pro Day should ease any concerns.
2022 NFL Mock Draft: PFN’s top consensus landing spots
Personally, I think Howell is QB3 at worst in this draft. Malik Willis and Matt Corral are the only other two that I’d put ahead of him. One season shouldn’t affect a player’s stock too much unless they struggle mightily, but that’s just me.
In his latest 3-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft, PFN’s James Fragoza sent Howell to the Washington Commanders with the 11th pick. Fragoza liked the fit in the Commanders’ offense, stating, “Scott Turner’s RPO/spread-heavy offense will give Howell favorable looks while he learns to read defenses and go through his progressions quickly.” Surprisingly, Howell was still the third quarterback taken.
In PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings’ latest 7-Round Mock Draft, the New Orleans Saints took Howell with the 18th pick. Cummings understands that analysts aren’t sold on Howell but did address his Combine success: “…a solid quarterback prospect. He hasn’t commanded consensus appeal because of an up-and-down 2021 season.”
Where does Howell land on other draft boards?
Everywhere you go, there’s not a consensus about Howell’s draft stock. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah sees Howell as the 47th-best prospect on his draft board, while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler tabbed him as the 37th. However, in his latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Brugler sent Howell to the Colts with the 47th pick.
There is some consistency, but it’s tough to find. ESPN’s Todd McShay had concerns about Howell’s height, but he also stated that North Carolina product “is a competitive, tough runner. He has a big arm. He’s the best deep-ball thrower in this class.”
Both McShay and his ESPN colleague Mel Kiper Jr. like the Detroit Lions at 32 as a landing spot for Howell. Kiper noted Howell has “everything you look for from an intangibles standpoint. He understands the game. He’s a great worker.”