Tag: 2022 Commanders Draft

Scot McCloughan thought Sam Howell had a chance to be a ‘1st-round player’

“It is not so much where you are drafted. It’s what you do once you get there.”

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“I thought he had a chance to be a first-round player.”

That was former Washington General Manager Scot McCloughan, a guest on the Kevin Sheehan Podcast Friday, commenting on current Commanders quarterback Sam Howell.

Pointing to Howell’s competitiveness and arm strength, McCloughan thought Howell could be the first quarterback drafted following the 2020 season.

However, the 2021 season for Howell did not go as well, as he lost some NFL-level teammates at North Carolina. McCloughan pointed to how Howell so many times took to running because his offensive line was not as strong. But he liked Howell’s athletic ability and made the comparison of Baker Mayfield as well.

“He has talent, and I think he showed it against the Cowboys late in the season last year. He showed up, and that is pressure, even if it is not a playoff game. For him to step in and do what he did, shows some moxie. I think that was a good starting point.”

The 2022 draft was not a strong one for quarterbacks, as only Kenny Pickett went in the first round (20th overall). Desmond Ridder (74th), Malik Willis (86th), Matt Corral (94th), Bailey Zappe (137th) followed before Howell’s name was selected at 144th, the first selection of the fifth round.

So why did Howell drop three or four rounds in the draft in the next year? “Something has to come out through the process that is negative about him,” insisted McCloughan. “Something had to have happened after the season ended through the combine, through the Pro Days, through the visits, something happened that was knocking him down.”

“But the kids need to understand; it is not so much where you are drafted. It’s what you do once you get there.”

 

When Washington has drafted at No. 47 in the NFL draft

Washington has selected at No. 47 overall three times in its history. How has the franchise fared?

With the Commanders scheduled to go on the clock at No. 47 overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft Friday, you might wonder, “How many times has Washington drafted in the No. 47 position?”

Since the beginning of the Super Bowl era (1966 season) Washington has drafted in the No. 47 position just three times. Those three players were Phidarian Mathis (2022), Trent Murphy (2014) and Shane Collins (1992).

Mathis, a 6-foot-4, 312-pound defensive tackle from Alabama was taken in round two by the Commanders last year. He thus was the second player drafted by the Commanders. He was drafted because Daron Payne was entering the last year of his contract. However, Payne ended up enjoying his best season by far and re-signed in March. Mathis, unfortunately, went down in his very first game against the Jaguars and was lost for the season with a bad knee injury.

Washington Redskins defensive end Trent Murphy (93) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Murphy, a Stanford 6-6, 260-pound defensive end was taken in the second round in the 2014 draft. Washington had Murphy playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme. His pass coverage was suspect, but Murphy did contribute as a pass rusher with 15 sacks and 42 QB Hits in his three seasons in Washington. Murphy was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2017 season due to PED use. In addition, he tore an ACL during a preseason game and was lost for all of the 2017 season. Signing as a free agent with the Bills, Murphy played his final three NFL seasons (2018-20) in Buffalo.

4 Oct 1992: Defensive lineman Shane Collins of the Washington Redskins gets blocked during a game against the Phoenix Cardinals at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport

The defending Super Bowl Champion Redskins selected Collins in the second round of the 1992 draft. The 6-3, 267-pound defensive end out of Arizona State disappointed however, only starting ten games in his three NFL seasons. In three seasons he only played in 30 games, contributing one sack and one fumble recovery.

The No. 47 spot has not produced very much for Washington in their three opportunities. The Commanders really need to come through in this position Friday night in round two, finding a player who will have a huge impact for years to come in Washington.