NFL scout labels Steelers as fit for top-rated quarterback prospect
The Steelers are entering a new era. It will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who retired from the NFL after 18 seasons in January. After bringing two Super Bowl titles to Pittsburgh (2005, 2008), Roethlisberger set the bar pretty high for his successor, which doesn't seem to be Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins, who backed […]
The Steelers are entering a new era. It will be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who retired from the NFL after 18 seasons in January.
After bringing two Super Bowl titles to Pittsburgh (2005, 2008), Roethlisberger set the bar pretty high for his successor, which doesn't seem to be Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins, who backed him up in 2021.
An ESPN insider predicted that Jimmy Garoppolo would be the Steelers' next starting quarterback. However, Pro Football Focus has a name in mind from the college ranks that could be a fit, and it's North Carolina's, Sam Howell.
Per PFF:
"Despite frequent comparisons to Baker Mayfield, Howell is best characterized by his mobility and short-throw accuracy. His rushing yards over expected per carry, missed forced tackles per attempt and explosive run rate all rank in the top 10 among the 88 FBS quarterbacks drafted since 2015. While athletic testing at the combine later this week should show whether he will reach those same heights in the pros, it is safe to assume he will be a viable threat on the ground at the next level. His short accuracy, though likely inflated by North Carolina's RPO-heavy offense, ranks in the top 25 of the sample, although his accuracy in other parts of the field ranks in the bottom half to quarter of the sample."
Below is Howell's scouting report via Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
"Stocky, three-year starter who plays with admirable confidence despite inconsistencies in important areas as a passer. Howell attacks the field working from deep to short when he's allowed. He's not a classic full-field reader at this point but has pocket poise and mobility to potentially develop in that area in the future. He muscles throws, hindering his accuracy on drive throws but has adequate arm strength and can expedite off-platform throws. Howell doesn't throw with nearly enough timing or ball placement, which forces wideouts into the boundaries or to break stride, limiting their YAC potential. He flashed impressive dual-threat talent in 2021, which should work in his favor. The 2021 tape was bumpy but his makeup is really good and improvement is likely with better pieces around him. Howell isn't wired for or suited to a ball-control passing attack and might need a vertical passing scheme capable of creating explosive plays in order to succeed."
If Howell somehow found himself in Pittsburgh, the six-time Super Bowl champions would be getting a productive college quarterback. As a freshman in 2019, Howell threw for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns. He was named the ACC Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year and was selected as a third-team conference All-American.
Howell was then named second-team All-ACC in 2020 after 3,586 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. His college career was capped off by passing for 3,056 yards and 24 scores in 2021.
The Tarheel record books were re-written by Howell as he leaves Chapel Hill as the school's all-time leader in passing yards (10,283), touchdown passes (92), total touchdowns (109), and passing touchdowns in a season (38).
Howell's dual-threat ability may help persuade the Steelers to bring him to the organization. Last season, he ran for 828 yards and score 11 touchdowns averaging 4.5 yards per rush.
Howell is considered to be a top-three prospect at quarterback behind only Malik Willis out of Liberty and Kenny Pickett out of Pittsburgh. The Steelers have the 20th overall pick in the first round, and Howell should be there if he's the Steelers' desired option to replace Roethlisberger.
Feature image via-Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
