Detroit Lions 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft
Second Round
50. Pick Analysis. North Carolina. player. Scouting Report. QB. Sam Howell. 33
Ideally, the Lions would take a quarterback with their second first-round pick to give themselves a fifth-year option on a rookie contract. But this draft is about adding talent and finding value, and a couple quarterbacks may drop out of the first round. Howell seemed likely to be here as I did this mock, and when he was I couldn’t click “draft” fast enough.
The convenient physical comp for Howell (6-foot-1) is Baker Mayfield, but he has better arm strength than the 2018 No. 1 overall pick and more raw mobility (825 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground this season). However reaching, one draft analyst made a comparison to Matthew Stafford in recent months to get the attention of Lions’ fans.
Howell could sit behind Jared Goff for a year before taking over in 2023. He could also challenge for the starting job right away, or take over before his rookie season over. Any way you slice it, the Lions gladly grab Howell with the first pick of the second round here.