One of the more interesting discussions of the 2022 NFL preseason has been how former North Carolina and current Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell lasted until the first overall pick in the fifth round of this draft. Howell was the sixth quarterback taken in a quarterback-light draft where only one — Pitt’s Kenny Pickett 20th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers — was taken in the first round.
This would have seemed an impossibility after his 2019 and 2020 seasons, in which Howell combined for 68 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions. At that point, Howell looked for all the world like a lead-pipe first-round pick. But in 2021, Howell lost his two best running backs (Javonte Williams and Michael Carter) as well as his two best receivers (Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome) to the NFL.
