The dominoes have started to fall as the quarterback market takes shape this offseason. Aaron Rodgers is remaining in Green Bay while Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz have been traded to Denver and Washington, respectively.
Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo remain the two premier signal-callers left who could realistically be dealt this offseason. The Minnesota Vikings have another decision to make with Cousins. If they want a bridge to the future, taking Sam Howell in the draft could be the right move.
Reports had surfaced during the last draft that the Vikings were intrigued and tried moving up to select Justin Fields before the Chicago Bears selected him. Minnesota tried scratching the quarterback itch by selecting Kellen Mond in the third round. While it’s too early to pull the plug on the pick, it’s also impossible for the Vikings to put too many eggs into that basket a year later. It’s left the new regime with a big first decision to make.
Even if they keep Cousins, they could still draft a quarterback. If Minnesota opts to run it back with Kirk, it doesn’t take them out of the running in drafting a quarterback in the first round, but it does decrease the odds. If he gets a new contract extension, it’s a whole different ballgame.
Enter Sam Howell.
Howell isn’t projected to be a first-round pick like Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett, but don’t let that distract you from what he could become. The former North Carolina Tar Heel brings a lot to the table.
Howell has a cannon for an arm. In fact, there’s a case to be made that he has the strongest arm of any quarterback in this class. His mobility and durability help boost his case as well. Howell only missed one game during his three years in Chapel Hill. Even though Howell is an aggressive runner, injuries haven’t been a problem.
While many scouts drool over Pickett and Willis, Howell could be a perfect bridge quarterback for the Vikings if Cousins is back in 2022 but without a new deal. He could also be the hidden gem of the position in this class.
Howell’s numbers dipped in his last season at North Carolina, but he lost nearly every key weapon he had in 2020. Quarterbacks should elevate those around them, but Howell was working with a nearly empty cupboard and an offensive line with many lapses. I’m not making excuses for him. His numbers could’ve been better by his own doing, and the skeptics in the anti-Howell camp have some valid reasons.
One other setback could be that Howell fits the mold of a typical spread system. However, his ability to extend plays with his mobility, combined with his arm strength and playmaking capabilities, can wash away worries that he’s a one-trick pony fit for a college-style scheme.
Per most outlets, including Draft Network, Howell’s arm, toughness, and mobility are the most highlighted qualities that will help him transition into an NFL quarterback.
Howell is a mostly accurate quarterback that has his share of pinpoint throws down the field and dropping the football between zones. He consistently places the ball where he intends it to go and enables his targets to have opportunities to stay up and work after the catch. He isn’t without a misfire, but Howell is an accurate thrower of the football.
Howell is a tough competitor and I appreciate how he battled throughout the 2021 season. He hangs tough in the pocket and keeps his eyes down the field to find options under duress. Like most quarterbacks, his production dips under pressure and he is guilty of drifting in the pocket. I do want to see even more consistency in the red zone.
Howell’s mobility and success as a runner was a major storyline of the 2021 season and his evolution as a player. He showcased tremendous field vision and contact balance as he consistently ripped off large chunks of yardage as a runner. Howell is a good thrower on the run and his ability to use his legs is a weapon.
For all the good Cousins has done and all the good he offers, he seriously lacks any sort of mobility. When looking at the best quarterbacks in the NFL, it’s almost impossible to find a top-tier option outside of Tom Brady (now retired), who isn’t at least somewhat mobile and able to extend plays outside the pocket consistently.
Minnesota doesn’t need the next version of Michael Vick or Lamar Jackson. But having a quarterback who can extend plays and keep them alive is a huge plus, and it’s one of the things Howell does best.
Drafting Sam Howell would be a clear sign that the Vikings are looking further into the future, but it would also allow them the flexibility to bring back Cousins for 2022 if they so desire. Sitting Howell for a year could be what’s best for him and the Vikings. Selecting him could be a long-term answer at quarterback to help usher in the new regime.
