With no surefire quarterback prospect available to them (or any team) in the 2022 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers will have to be flexible in their approach starting next Thursday. So, part of that approach could see the team take a chance on a passer a little later than where they’re currently sitting at the sixth overall selection.
If so, one of those options is University of North Carolina’s Sam Howell—who will run through a private workout for the Panthers. Per ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, this is the latest instance of Carolina performing their due diligence on the class as we move closer to go-time.
The Carolina Panthers are conducting a private workout with UNC quarterback Sam Howell, per sources. He acquitted himself well in interviews and the team is following up with a throwing session. Carolina doing due diligence on all the top QBs.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 18, 2022
Anything is possible in the NFL draft, especially this one—where the board could start going awry as early as the second pick. But it’s probably safe to say Howell isn’t going to end up staying home through that No. 6 selection, nor any of the fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh-round picks the Panthers are in possession of.
The Waynesville, N.C. native, rather, is likelier to be taken anywhere from the late first to mid second round. That, obviously, would constitute a trade-down by Carolina—which is very much in the cards given that lack of second-day capital and their swap-happy general manager.
In the meantime, this workout will mark yet another close look into Howell by the franchise. The Panthers have already had the 21-year-old in their sights during their local pro day workout at Bank of America Stadium last week as well as during the Tar Heels’ pro day on March 28.
