2022 NFL Draft: Perfect fits for the top 5 quarterbacks

5. Sam Howell, North Carolina

There was a time when many NFL draft experts speculated that Sam Howell could be the top quarterback in the 2022 NFL draft but his junior season was a little disappointing.

It still wasn’t that bad. He completed 63 percent of his passes and threw 23 touchdown passes for a North Carolina team that wasn’t nearly as talented as it was in 2020.

Howell is 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and he’s got one of the best arms in the draft. He’s a decent athlete too and like Ridder, he’s played a lot of football, even as a junior.

He’s got 38 games under his belt and tossed 38 touchdowns as a freshman, as well as 30 as a sophomore. His career completion mark is 63.8 and his 9.2 yards per attempt average is also impressive.

Howell has been under the radar but is now getting more attention. I don’t see him sneaking into the first round but he will be a hot commodity on day two of the draft and if Detroit still has the 34th pick, I think there’s a good chance he could go there.

Even if Detroit doesn’t take him someone else could move up. Carolina could take the hometown kid if Willis isn’t there or another team like the Titans or Falcons could move up or stand pat and take him but either way, I don’t see Howell lasting past the second round.

Perfect fits: Lions, Falcons, Panthers, Titans