After the 2020 season, quarterback Sam Howell looked like a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft, and even a bona fide Heisman candidate for 2021. But, a lot of the talent around him moved on to greener pastures, and Howell’s draft stock took a hit in 2021. Now, he’s considered a fringe first-rounder and a clear step down from Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis in this draft class. As a Sam Howell truther, I thought he was a guy who could really show the scouting world what he’s got down in Mobile for the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Maybe with a good week and a good showing in the game, he could get back into the conversation among the first round locks.
Sam Howell #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/0rEYc4Pico
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) February 2, 2022
Howell had a bit of a quiet week in practice. He looked good, but he wasn’t popping eyeballs out the way that Willis was. Any time his name came up, people were like “oh yeah, Sam Howell’s here too – great touch, competitor, etc. etc.” ‘Consistent’ is the word I kept hearing about him. I was excited to see him, but I found myself wanting more during the practices. Something about his body language didn’t quite sit right. I watched him in a huddle with Detroit Lions quarterback coach Mark Brunell alongside Willis and Bailey Zappe. Where the other two seemed to be engaged, asking questions, and nodding along, Howell was just kinda there. I wondered about his ability to really command a huddle and I wondered what kind of energy he brought to the game. And then I’ll be damned if he didn’t come out and engineer a hell of an impressive drive in the actual Senior Bowl game.
Sam Howell's drive before halftime: pic.twitter.com/p6b0qRuhky
— ❌❌❌ (@FTB_Vids_YT) February 5, 2022
I dare say that it was the most impressive quarterback drive of the game. People can’t help themselves with the Baker Mayfield comparisons because of his body type, but – no offense to Mayfield of course – Howell has a much more obvious high football IQ. While it may seem like he leans on his athleticism too much, it definitely feels like it’s more of a calculated read whereas Mayfield feels reckless at times. What we saw during the game itself was the best of what Howell brings to the table.
Howell may have the best touch of this entire quarterback class. His mobility makes him a weapon, and his maneuverability allows him to extend plays. He never really seemed to get rattled under duress during Saturday’s game – always calm and cool. But, what I didn’t see in practice was just how well he was reading the defense and taking what it gave him. He used his legs when he had to, but was also willing to throw the ball away when he had to. At his worst, he seems to be inconsistent. At his best, he has real game-changing ability.
The reality is that this entire quarterback class has its flaws. I have no idea what to make of Howell – maybe the dude is just a gamer whose best work is done from bell to bell. I could see him being a surprise in the top 20 for a team that needs a quarterback, feels confident it can surround Howell with the talent he needs to succeed, and has the patience to wait on him to fully develop. I could see him falling out of the first round altogether. Maybe that’s why I’m typing words on a blog and not evaluating talent for an NFL team. What am I even doing here? *shrugs*
MORE SENIOR BOWL 2022 CONTENT
- Brian Robinson Jr. Absolutely POPPED Channing Tindall At Senior Bowl Practice Today
- Players Of Local Interest In The Senior Bowl
- PODCAST: The SoBros Power Hour on our trip down to Mobile
- PODCAST: The Unofficial Titans Podcast’s report from the Senior Bowl
- A Prospect Like Calvin Austin III Is Just What This Titans Offense Is Missing
- Reese’s peanut butter cupcake review
- A Round 1 Quarterback Selection Isn’t Out Of The Question For The Titans
- Sam Howell, Malik Willis, And Bailey Zappe To Play For Lions Squad In The Senior Bowl
- Senior Bowl: American Team Practice Day 3 Notes
- Senior Bowl: National Team Practice Day 3 Notes
- Takeaways From The 2022 Senior Bowl
- Titans Fans Should Be Paying Attention To The Senior Bowl
- Trevor Penning Is Destined To Headline WrestleMania
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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