ESPN senior NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr conducted his first NFL draft media call Wednesday. He was even asked about Washington Commanders QB No. 1 Sam Howell, who was, of course, drafted last year.
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Here is John Keim, ESPN Commanders’ reporter and Kiper’s response:
JK: “What did you think of Sam Howell coming out of the draft last year? How would he compare to this year’s quarterback class?”
MK: “John, that is a great question. I had Sam Howell in that second to third-round mix.”
“He kept dropping. I believe it was to the top of the fifth round. I remember sitting there on Day 3 (of the 2022 draft), and his name kept coming up, coming up, coming up. Finally, Washington took him.”
“If you remember, going into that final season at North Carolina, In August of that year, he had a first-round grade. He looked really good going into the year.”
“Losing some pieces around him contributed to him dropping a bit, not being as effective. To me, he has the talent to be a starting quarterback in this league. He showed that in his one game. But it is a leap of faith to say, ‘he is our guy’. But he certainly could have gone a lot higher than (the first pick of) the fifth round.”
“In terms of this draft, With Hendon Hooker’s injury and being 25 years of age, coming off of a couple of injuries, playing in a quarterback-friendly offense at Tennessee… He would be right in there with Hooker, ahead of Stetson Bennett, Jake Haener, Clayton Tune, Max Duggan.”
“He (Howell) would be the fifth highest-rated or sixth-highest rated quarterback in this quarterback draft class, and he would have a second-round grade.”
Kiper recently executed his latest mock draft and discussed his latest draft, and also answered questions from the NFL media concerning the upcoming April NFL draft.
Kiper’s next mock draft is scheduled to be released on April 11.