Why the Pittsburgh Steelers could be destined to draft QB Sam Howell

The Pittsburgh Steelers are narrowing in on a QB, and here’s why Sam Howell could be the most-likely pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Like it or not, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem pretty dialed into selecting a quarterback with their first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Sadly, this isn’t a spectacular QB class, and fans know it.

What could make things a lot worse for the folks watching the 2022 NFL Draft this year is the decision Pittsburgh could make when they are on the clock. Because of the way the chips seem likely to fall, Sam Howell could be the selection for the Steelers in the first round.

Since his down season in 2021, Howell has earned a bad rap as a one-read QB who tucks his head and runs at the first sign of trouble. Some draft analysts have been so harsh on the evaluation of his most recent season that he is going to wind up as the fifth quarterback this year on the consensus board — the big board depicting the average ranking of the top NFL Draft analysts.

Though there are mixed views on Howell, this would be a selection that would be hard for many fans to get behind. However, it seems like he could be destined to become a Steeler when it’s all said and done.

Steelers could be eying Howell

At this point in the process, Pittsburgh’s front office probably has a very good idea of where some of the top quarterbacks might wind up. The Carolina Panthers seem pretty content with taking a QB with the 6th overall pick, while the Falcons and Saints will both be in the running for a QB in the top 10 (especially now that New Orleans has two first-round picks).

Most analysts project Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett to be off the board before the Steelers are on the clock. While Willis seems to be the primary target for Pittsburgh, a trade-up may be out of the question if he’s off the board early.

If this proves to be the case, Howell could be their selection with the 20th overall pick. Kevin Colbert might like the North Carolina quarterback much more than fans anticipate.

Colbert has a good relationship with UNC’s head coach, Mac Brown, and he has no doubt had his eye on Howell over the past three years. Brown, meanwhile, has spoken very highly of Howell on numerous occasions.

In addition, Howell is certainly a box-checker for the Steelers. While he comes up short in their usual height threshold at the QB position, he’s uber-productive and young with a big arm and high character — all traits Pittsburgh covets in a first-round pick.

The Steelers are also a team that isn’t afraid of straying from the consensus. In 2018, nobody predicted that Terrell Edmunds was going to be a first-round pick. However, the young, productive Virginia Tech safety simply checked all of the boxes Pittsburgh looked for at the position and filled a sizeable need.

I truly believe that Sam Howell is a player that Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert have had their eyes on for a few years now, and he certainly fits the description of what Pittsburgh intends to do post-Ben Roethlisberger. Whether you like it or not, the Steelers may be destined to end up with Sam Howell.