NFL Draft 2024 Rumors: Seahawks 'High on' Sam Howell After Trade Amid Penix Jr. Buzz

The Seattle Seahawks could decide not to draft a quarterback this week because they are "high on" former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell as a backup for Geno Smith, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

"Macdonald and the Seahawks feel they have invested in their future at the position with a player who already has game experience," Schefter wrote. "Bypassing a quarterback also would be consistent with Seattle and continue an odd trend for the franchise."

The Seahawks traded for Howell in March after he threw 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 17 starts for the Commanders last season.

Seattle currently holds the No. 16 pick of the draft.

The Seahawks have selected just two quarterbacks (Russell Wilson in 2012, and Alex McGough in 2018) since John Schneider took the helm of the franchise in 2010.

The franchise has previously been tied to Washington's Michael Penix Jr., who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting after throwing 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions during his senior 2023 season.

Penix is projected as the No. 21 pick by the B/R NFL Scouting Department in the latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, but some mock drafts project him going lower due to the multiple season-ending injuries he suffered earlier in his college career at Indiana.

For the Seahawks, the hesitation surrounds the "unique advantages" they believe they have in Howell, Schefter reported.

Howell is 23, the same age as Penix, but has the advantage of having 18 NFL starts under his belt, Schefter noted.

That experience could make him Seattle's preferred backup option as Smith looks to achieve his third straight Pro Bowl season as the Seahawks' primary signal caller.

If the Seahawks decide not to pursue a quarterback on April 25, Schneider could decide to trade down and recoup some draft assets for the No. 16 pick. The Seattle general manager has moved down from a first-round pick five times since 2012.