3 reasons the Carolina Panthers should not dismiss Sam Howell

The Carolina Panthers would be wise not to dismiss quarterback Sam Howell from their list of potential possibilities during the 2022 NFL Draft.

Sam Howell has arguably become the forgotten quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft class. The North Carolina product declined slightly last season after losing almost every productive skill position player to the next level, which has seen his stock plummet despite this year’s group of signal-callers not deemed to be the strongest by any stretch of the imagination.

The Carolina Panthers sent a couple of front office figures to Howell’s pro day on Monday as head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer undertook their obligations at the NFL owners’ meeting down in Florida. His production left many reasons to be encouraged, with the prospect’s footwork showing a marked improvement in a controlled setting per those in attendance.

Of course, it’s the film that matters. Howell was among college football’s best performers in 2020 that even had him in the running for the first-overall selection once upon a time, but there remain some flaws in his game that might make those at the top-end of the draft think twice about securing his services.

Carolina has been searching for an upgrade on Sam Darnold after the player failed to make the most out of a clear opportunity following his trade from the New York Jets. Missing out on Deshaun Watson was a significant blow despite the way such a trade would have been perceived, so going down the draft route might be their only realistic option unless they make an offer to the San Francisco 49ers for Jimmy Garoppolo before the draft.

Howell doesn’t have a first-round grade for the Panthers, according to Jonathan Alexander of the Charlotte Observer. But here are three reasons why Carolina should not dismiss the prospect from their thoughts entirely.