
If you had talked to NFL evaluators after the 2020 college football season, many would have had North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell among their top prospects for the 2022 NFL draft. But Howell struggled during his junior season with the Tar Heels in 2021, leading some to consider him a mid-round prospect in last year’s draft.
Howell lasted until the first pick of the fifth round when the Washington Commanders selected him. Washington reportedly had Howell ranked as its top quarterback prospect in 2022, and if the Commanders hadn’t traded for Carson Wentz, they would’ve selected Howell higher in the draft.