Saints assistant GM Jeff Ireland scouting Sam Howell at UNC pro day

New Orleans Saints assistant general manager/college scouting director Jeff Ireland keeping an eye on Sam Howell at UNC’s pro day:

That’s interesting: the New Orleans Saints sent one of their top decision-makers to the UNC Tar Heels pro day on Monday, per Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy, who listed Jeff Ireland among the multiple NFL executives in attendance to watch North Carolina quarterback prospect Sam Howell work out and execute his throwing session.

Ireland wears several different hats for the Saints — his official job title on the team’s website identifies him as their vice president/assistant general manger and director of college personnel. But his priority this time of the year is putting the finishing touches on several hundred scouting reports ahead of the 2022 NFL draft, and Howell could be an intriguing prospect.

Howell has been cast as a plucky game manager with upside, similar to other young quarterbacks around the league like Mac Jones and Baker Mayfield. Initially seen as someone who could be the first passer drafted in 2022, his performance nosedived in 2021 after the Tar Heels offense sent multiple starters to the NFL without many backups ready to replace them. Now he’s likely to be picked near the turnaround at the start of round two; territory shared by Lamar Jackson (No. 32 pick in 2018), Andy Dalton (No. 35 pick in 2011), and Derek Carr (No. 36 pick in 2014). Obviously there’s a wide range of possible outcomes there.

Drafting a quarterback is still very possible for the Saints. They only signed Jameis Winston to a two-year contract, meaning they’re on the lookout for a long-term answer under center. Ireland and other Saints shot-callers like head coach Dennis Allen have run the pro day circuit in recent weeks, scouting other top prospects like Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, and Desmond Ridder. If a quarterback they like is available when they’re on the clock (whether that’s at No. 18, 49, or some other slot in the draft order) we shouldn’t be shocked if they pick that player.

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