Is Sam Howell the Commanders’ best Draft Pick this year?
In their inaugural season as the Washington Commanders, the nation’s capital’s team has had a mixed bag of a draft this year. Washington in the past couple of years has had some decent to good overall drafts aside from some missteps. However, during the 2022 NFL Draft the general consensus has been lukewarm to say the least. The team did not have too many head scratching picks but made picks that some believe could have been better. Yet, if there is one pick that stood out over the rest in a positive sense it was the selection of the North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell.
Howell was selected with the 144th pick in the fifth round of the draft. The North Carolina quarterback was once touted to be picked in the second round and at one point, he was even projected to go in the first. For Washington to select him in the fifth round was considerably shocking. Many of the quarterbacks fell in the draft but Howell and Matt Corral were two of the most notable slides in the draft. With Washington trading for Carson Wentz only a few months prior, many did not expect them to go the quarterback route in this draft, especially after Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis were drafted. Yet Commanders’ head coach Ron Rivera came out and said “[they] had to jump on” drafting Howell because the opportunity was too good to pass on.
The Commanders have an extensive history with inconsistent quarterback play. Since 2000, Washington has played 23 different quarterbacks. Though Wentz statistically had a good year on paper last season, many believe he still under performed and cost the Colts a playoff berth. Even Colts owner Jim Irsay said that trading for Wentz was a “mistake”, so Wentz is playing to prove something this year. Nobody expects Howell to play this upcoming season, but he is a great insurance pick.
Washington Commanders 2022 NFL Draft pick, Sam Howell
What he brings to the table is balance. Solid accuracy, arm strength, agile, and can make impressive throws on the run. Howell arrived on the college scene red hot winning ACC Rookie of the Year in his freshman year and earning All- ACC honors in both his freshman and sophomore years. In his junior year, he proved he can move too, rushing for 828 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. Passing wise, he finished his college career with 10,283 yards and 92 passing touchdowns, which are both school records.
Unlike the Commanders’ first round pick Jahan Dotson, Howell will most likely not see the field this season, but it is probably for the best. Many great quarterbacks have sat out their rookie and sophomore seasons. Washington is a middle of the pack team trying to claw their way into the playoffs so playing a rookie quarterback would not seem ideal. For the value of the pick and when they got him in the draft, Howell’s selection could be impactful in the team’s future.
