MHS831

So I watched Howell's pro day and I was impressed. EJ Manual (Florida State around 2010-Buffalo Bills QB) seemed impressed with a lot of Howell's throws. There was a meeting that caused head coaches to miss this pro day, so Howell is going to do another one. The thing I like about Howell is his cool. He does not get rattled. He looked good under the simulated center---he can pass from the pocket, on the run, against his body, etc. and he is accurate with good velocity. I was impressed with his footwork from under center. He does not have the quick release you see with Pickett or Corral, but he throws it 30 yards on a rope with no effort. Looked like he flicked it 30 yards. Comparisons: The panel of ACC commentators compared Howell to Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, and Steve Young. (I know). Coach Mack Brown compared him to other players he has coached--and he came up with Colt McCoy. I would rank the QBs this way: 1. Willis 2. Corral 3. Pickett 4. Howell 5. Ridder I did not see a Panther rep in the crowd, but there was a conflict for coaches. I can say that all 32 teams were present, but I saw multiple Steelers (pick 20) and Lions (pick 32) coaches standing behind him. There was a comment about how Tomlin wanted to be there-- Frankly: I cannot see much difference between my top 4 QBs (I have not seen Ridder yet). If we like Howell, it could be a trade back to about 12-18 and grab Howell. Measurables: Hand--9 1/8, height: 6 ft. weight: 224

This might not be related, but I am starting to think the public fussing over Pickett's hands was all for show, making everyone think we are targeting him. Fitterer likes to trade back and needs to---so maybe they are targeting Howell. Who knows?

He is my QB 4 as well. I think he is better than Ridder. I think the top 3 are Bs, and I think Howell is a B-/C+. Ridder is a C.

Or not.

Personally, I think he could be the sleeper of the draft. I am not a big UNC fan (was born in Columbia while my Dad played for Gamecocks--hint) but in the right situation, Howell could be good. Or he could stink it up in the wrong situation

If any of you are interested in watching, it starts at 10 on ACC Network. https://goheels.com/news/2022/3/27/football-carolina-to-hold-nfl-pro-day-on-monday.aspx

Now sources are predicting. You really do not need a source to post a prediction. It is probably true because having Jimmy G on the roster would be a distraction, so you do not need a secret source to predict that. Trading for Jimmy G gets you his salary--or claiming him off waivers, if I am not mistaken--he has to clear waivers and then you can compete for him. I see Seattle, New Orleans, and Carolina as the primary suitors, with Detroit, Philly, and Pittsburgh---maybe showing some interest.

They extended some older players to prepare for Watson--now they are stuck with them--soon, their dead cap will be as bad as ours was last year.

FYI to all about these QB measureables: Coral is 6' 1.5" and 212 lbs. Pickett is 6'3" 217 lbs. Willis is 6' 0.5" 219 lbs. Robert Griffin was considered a bit frail. he was 6' 2.5" and 223 lbs.

And the plot thickens...

I think I am ready to go out on a limb and say that Corral--even at #6--is the pick.

Gonna be interesting---

Great points--the top 10 picks are going to be very interesting. Cross is a faller, IMO. I think Thib is not going top half of round 1.

Wondering if 45 still likes Icky. Personally, I think he'd be a killer G, but as a run blocking (best quality) LT, he would fit the plan to run more.

I hate to say it, but it seems as if it has gotten to a point where they are trying to protect Rhule from himself. No pressers of late, taking away his personnel swag--closing the Temple/Baylor pipeline--etc. He is really in the shadows of late--and that has to be by design.

No SR Bowl, no combine--he is flying under the radar. Now I am going to dazzle with some conspiracy theory--the Panthers were all over Pickett--front and center for Willis at their pro days--but the presence at Corral's day seemed less of an event--I have to go back and check details, but I think McAdoo or someone like that (Mr Scot--I need you here) was absent and they did less in front of cameras to show interest. I just gotta feeling....

To make you feel much worse about your thinking here, I am on the exact same page. I have Wilson to Atlanta at 8, however, so you have that.

People say, Pittsburgh is "conservative" during the draft, but if Tomlin is in love with Willis and Willis is there, they might make a move. When was the last time Pittsburgh did not have a franchise, elite QB? Imagine how nice it is to not have to develop a QB? They could want to develop WIllis this year while playing Trubiski until Willis is ready--I doubt Trubiski is the solution. I dunno--but if you love Willis and see him as a project, you want to get him in the fold now--not later when you do not have a QB to bridge the gap.

Almost 6'2", hand size 9 5/8. Great at the RPO. I think he might have as much upside as Willis, if all factors are considered.

I think there will be some trade movement in the top 10, but nothing until #5. That could trigger some dominoes.

I have never heard of any of their WRs

That is the question. I think there is a chance Icky could be there--take him. Thibodeaux (sp?) could be there--I don't take Cross there. Still, I think they are in a position to take a QB regardless---they are not going to take a T and throw away another season on Darnold. They are talking him up because he is the starter and they might include him in a trade (speculation). We are taking Willis, Pickett, or Corral, in my opinion--and I cannot think of any player beyond Hutchinson or Neal that might change that.

I think 6 is way too high for him. position inflation (as with QB)

The reason I think this needs to be discussed is because Howell is a local product that was once considered a top QB prospect (after 2020) and is now looking like a second rounder--if you go by the media. Some say that he is a poor Man's Baker Mayfield, others think that he is a sleeper who will become a starting NFL QB. The reason this is significant: If he is that sleeper pick, we could trade back and grab him. However, there may not be a more important Pro Day to date for any player. I personally think Howell will do very well and increase his stock value--creeping into the end of the first round (I think he could go anywhere from the Steelers at #20 to Detroit at #32 or #34.) Of course, a bad pro day could cause his stock to drop into the late second/early third round. Forget about which college you pull for--nobody gives a sh!t. Base this on the player. Don't focus solely on 2021 film--take a look at 2020 as well. After his pro day, it will be interesting to see where you think he will go. Could the Panthers take him if they trade back? How much worse is Howell than Pickett? Corral? etc.

Do we know this? I really don't know, but Rhule may try to intervene on draft day. I am guessing that--if I were owner--I would have called him in and threatened to fire him if he did not agree to relinquish personnel decisions.