Athleticism is an important asset for a SS, IMO. If Howard is outstanding defensively, he can be successful without being more than average offensively.
But that's not a guy you take in the middle of the first round.
Now - is that Howard? I don't know. I think he has enough offensive upside to be better than average, and more defensive athleticism relative to position than Almora in CF. But drafting high schoolers is a crapshoot.