5 teams that should draft UNC quarterback Sam Howell in 2022 NFL Draft

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels throws a 76-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 11, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Sam Howell #7 of the North Carolina Tar Heels throws a 76-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 11, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Sam Howell, North Carolina Tar Heels. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Sam Howell, North Carolina Tar Heels. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

UNC Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell officially declared for the 2022 NFL Draft on New Year’s Day. Here are five teams that should select him.

UNC Tar Heels quarterback was long expected to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. He was projected to be one of the top prospects in this quarterback class, thanks in part to an impressive sophomore year. Even though 2021 was a less than ideal season for him, Howell was still expected to be in the running as a first-round draft prospect.

On New Year’s Day, Howell made it official, announcing that he was declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft.

https://twitter.com/Sam7Howell/status/1477411947557576709

In his three years at North Carolina, Howell accumulated 10,283 passing yards, 92 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. Additionally, he ran for 1,009 yards and 17 touchdowns on 369 carries.

Even though the 2022 draft class is not as powerful as 2021’s, there are plenty of teams that are in need of a quarterback, and Howell may very well fit the bill for them. Here are five teams that should consider drafting him.

Sam Howell: 5 NFL teams that should draft former UNC QB

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have Kirk Cousins under contract for one more year once the 2021 season reaches its end. While the Vikings could choose to trade Cousins, they would need to find a trade partner that would be willing to take on the $35 million salary for 2022.

Whether Minnesota keeps Cousins for 2022 or not is irrelevant. What the Vikings need to do is to find their signal caller for the foreseeable future. Howell will be on the board for them, regardless of where they draft in the first-round. But, this will all be dependent on whether the Vikings believe that rookie Kellen Mond can be a suitable successor of Cousins.