Is Sam Howell the Colts next quarterback?
The Indianapolis Colts are getting familiar with quarterback prospects and Sam Howell is the latest to visit the team.
When the Indianapolis Colts traded for veteran quarterback, Matt Ryan, it didn’t mean that their search for the quarterback of the future was over.
Indy has made that clear by getting familiar with the quarterback prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Colts have even held visits for guys like Malik Willis who may be out of their range at pick No. 42.
One quarterback that will likely be available when Indianapolis gets on the clock is Sam Howell. Indy is making sure to learn about Howell as well by bringing him in for a visit.
North Carolina QB Sam Howell is making the short trip today for a visit with the #Panthers, per source, and also will visit the #Colts and #Falcons this week. Howell -- who broke many Tar Heels records and threw a TD in all 37 college games -- visited the #Steelers on Friday.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 11, 2022
Sam Howell will visit Colts before the Draft
Not long ago, many believed that Howell was QB1 of this draft class. That has since changed, but a lot of the reasons why he was once highly regarded are still on his resume.
Howell entered North Carolina in 2019 and won the starting quarterback job as a true freshman. In 37 games as a Tar Heel, Howell completed 63.8% of his passes for 10,283 yards and 92 touchdowns to just 23 interceptions.
For as good as his arm talent was, Howell also displayed the ability to run the ball, something he really leaned into in his final collegiate season.
828 of Howell’s 1,009 rushing yards came in his final year at North Carolina. He also added 11 rushing touchdowns that season, finishing with 17 in his career.
Howell isn’t believed to be ready in year one, but with his arm and rushing talent, he’s an intriguing prospect that teams may want to get in a system for a couple of years to see how he develops.
The Colts are set up to explore a situation like that. Matt Ryan is the starter and should be for at least the next two seasons. That means if Indy lands Howell, he would be allowed time to develop and possibly be the successor in Indianapolis.
If that is the game plan for the Colts, they don’t need to go after Howell until at least the fourth round. Picks are at a premium in the first two days of the Draft, so it’s important that Indy selects players that should be able to immediately contribute.
A project pick like Howell should be available on day three and that’s when the Colts should see what the quarterback has to offer.
