The Indianapolis Colts are hosting former North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell on a visit ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Even with Matt Ryan entrenched as the starting quarterback for at least the next two seasons, the Colts are still on the hunt for a long-term answer at the position.
Howell figures to be one of the options available to the Colts on Day 2 of the draft, assuming a team doesn’t select him before then.
Pelissero reported that the visit is expected to take place at some point this week.
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
Howell has enough arm talent to intrigue a team on draft day. He has a pretty solid deep ball to go along with toughness in the pocket and the ability to add value in the run game. He ran an RPO offense at North Carolina so he has plenty of experience in that arena.
Howell has also been highly-regarded in the character area by his coaches and teammates.
Where Howell struggles appears to come with inconsistent accuracy, which likely stems from a need to improve his footwork and mechanics in the pocket. The offense limited his assignments in going through full-field reads but the Colts would draft him as a project and eventual successor to Ryan.
Howell has enough to his game for an argument to be made in selecting him on Day 2, and that’s likely why the Colts are bringing him in for a visit ahead of the draft.
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