Mel Kiper Jr. reveals Sam Howell draft stock is hard to pin down

The overall consensus on the upcoming 2022 NFL draft quarterback class is that it’s rather weak. One of the potential high picks heading into the season was supposed to be the North Carolina Tar Heels signal-caller, Sam Howell. However, after a shaky year, he has fallen most likely out of the first round and will be viewed as a value pick for a team.

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently discussed why it’s so hard to pin down exactly where Howell and his draft stock hand. After having a good 2020 season, Howell did not perform as well for North Carolina after some players left the program. Kiper Jr. said he projects the quarterback to go somewhere in the second round.

“Reloading is not easy for everybody and it didn’t happen,” Kiper said. “You can’t lose Javonte Williams and Michael Carter and Dyami Brown and all the players he did — Dazz Newsome — and expect him to be as good as he was. I’m with you on Howell. I think somewhere in the second round and I think he’s going to be a nice pick.”

In his latest mock draft, Kiper only has three quarterbacks going in the first round with Kenny Pickett being the first one off the board at No. 18 to the New Orleans Saints. Malik Willis goes two picks later the No. 20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Matt Corral rounds out the first night with the No. 32 overall pick and the Detroit Lions.

Howell will likely have to wait past Thursday night to hear his name called on the podium. Especially after not participating in NFL Scouting Combine testing.

Sam Howell did not participate in NFL Scouting Combine

Howell did not participate in testing at the NFL Scouting Combine, originally reported by ESPN’s Tom Pelissero. The Tar Heels star will throw on Thursday night with other quarterbacks, however, a lingering calf “tweak” is limiting his mobility.

Despite missing out on testing this week in Indianapolis, the UNC Pro Day is coming up on March 28, so he’ll have another shot.

Along with a calf injury, Howell left the Senior Bowl with six of nine completions for 67 yards, as well as five carries for 29 yards. He posted the American team’s lone touchdown of the afternoon.

Last season for UNC, Howell threw for over 3,000 yards for the third-straight year under center in Chapel Hill. His yards and touchdowns were down significantly from the previous two years. However, he compensated by doubling his rushing totals in 2021 taking 183 carries for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns.