3 Potential QB targets for Seahawks in 2022 NFL Draft

Seahawks QB option no. 3: Sam Howell, North Carolina

Another QB who seemed to play in college for an eternity, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound passer brings three seasons of starting experience to the table. To me, he’s the type of prospect Baker Mayfield was supposed to be, blending a mix of touch and accuracy as a passer, but he’s a far more athletic player at the position.

Howell’s passing numbers may have dipped in each of his three seasons, but there’s some reasoning behind that. During the 2020 season, the North Carolina native had an offense that included Javonte Williams, Michael Carter Jr., and Dyami Brown. So when he had less guys around him in 2021, he showed he can take over with his legs, tallying a career-high 828 rushing yards and 11 TDs.

This athleticism showed up in the 2022 Senior Bowl as well. He went 6 for 9 with 67 passing yards in addition to his 29 rushing yards and TD run.

The 2019 season was Howell’s best as a passer, as he totaled 3,641 yards and 38 TDs against seven INTs. And as touted Howell may be as a runner, the tape shows that he has the ability to make a lot of NFL throws, as opposed to those numbers of his that dropped from ’19 on.

Now Howell may have to adjust from playing in a spread system. I do believe spread elements added to Seattle’s zone-run, bootleg scheme could help Howell, but I believe he’s better suited to play in a West Coast system in the NFL. He can make the timing throws and has the arm strength to attack most areas of the field, but what happens to him — as often times does with spread QBs — he can get a little sloppy in the pocket and get a little hero-ballish.

Sounds like Mayfield a little, right? But I think with Howell he’s a more natural thrower and has better athleticism to make plays out of the pocket. So maybe Howell will need to sit behind Lock a bit before he’s ready to play, but if he gets the right seasoning, I believe he can take over as Seattle’s QB of the future.