Could Pro Day activity hint at potential Commanders’ second-round pick?

The 2022 NFL Draft is officially one month away, and the Washington Commanders currently possess five picks after the Carson Wentz trade.

Is it possible the Wentz trade goes down as a blessing in disguise for the Commanders? We know Washington was previously in the mix to take a quarterback in the first round and the latest draft buzz makes it seem like Malik Willis and Kenny Picket will be off the board by the No. 11 overall pick.

Now, the front office can draft the best player available — preferably a wide receiver to equip Wentz with another weapon — in Round 1 and pivot to nabbing a quarterback with the No. 47 overall pick if that’s what they choose.

With that in mind, are the Commanders trying to tell us something with their latest pro day activity? While the team was well-represented at each of the top QB prospect’s pro days, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network reported Monday there was a “big turnout” at Sam Howell’s UNC showcase.

The Commanders had a ton of reps on hand to watch UNC quarterback Sam Howell’s pro day on Monday.

You don’t say? Howell is very much a divisive prospect among scouts, though nobody questions his arm strength and athleticism. We would argue the former Tar Heel has the best touch of any of this year’s QB prospects. That anticipation routinely puts his receivers in position to rack up yards after the catch, which has become more of a focal point in pro offenses seemingly with each passing season.

At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, Howell is built like a horse and has the requisite toughness to rebound after taking a big it. In addition, he consistently went through multiple reads in North Carolina’s offense. That’s a must-have intangible for any pro QB and it should only expedite his transition to dissecting an NFL defense.

In addition to boasting excellent precision in the pocket, Howell also handles improvisation (being flushed out of the pocket) without a hitch. Whether it be in a collapsing pocket or on the run, Howell’s next-level arm strength gives him the luxury of just having to flick his wrist to complete downfield passes.

And speaking of that cannon of a right arm …

While Howell’s arm strength became apparent during his freshman year at Chapel Hill, the strides he made as a runner this past season (828 yards and 11 touchdowns on 4.5 yards per attempt) really opened the eyes of draft scouts.

Like all of the QBs in this year’s pool, Howell is far from a finished product. His pre-snap adjustments and overall footwork need to improve and he had a tendency to play hero ball instead of taking what the defense gave him, which often led to unforced sacks and turnovers.

There’s no denying that Howell needs time to develop, but he’d be a quality second-round selection for Washington.

That is, if he’s still on the board by the No. 47 overall pick. Either way, the fact the Commanders had multiple reps in attendance for both Howell and Desmond Ridder, who are widely perceived as second-round prospects, proves they are at least kicking the tires about drafting a QB with their Round 2 selection.