Sam Howell

Barring an offseason faceplant, Howell will be under center come Week 1.

Does that mean he belongs anywhere near your fantasy roster? Unless you’re in a superflex league – that’s a hard no.

At best, we see Howell becoming a deep-league streamer, with help from some sneaky rushing potential.

What We Learned Last YearThe Commanders selected this productive, three-year starter at North Carolina in Round 5.Most draft analysts graded Howell as a Round 1 or Round 2 pick.Howell didn’t see the field until Week 18. QB Carson Wentz made seven starts; Taylor Heinicke started nine.In that lone start, Howell went 11 of 19 for 169 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT against Dallas.That’s only a 57.9% completion rate but also a sterling 8.8 yards per attempt.The tape showed Howell’s ability to make several tough throws.He showed some life on the ground, too. Howell rushed five times (three scrambles) for 35 yards and one score. He forced two missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus.
What to Expect in 2023Howell is fully expected to start Week 1 for Washington, despite the arrival of veteran QB Jacoby Brissett.ESPN’s Jon Keim tweeted the following from HC Ron Rivera. Rivera said Howell has done enough to remain QB1 entering training camp. "He's young, we know he's young. Lot of room for growth and we know that but he has a good skillset." Lists: quick twitch, decisions, arm talent. "That's the thing that excites us."Ben Standig of The Athletic cautions it’s not yet time to hand the job to Howell, saying “there’s a world” in which Jacoby Brissett is the Week 1 starter. In Standig’s view, though, Howell would have to lose the job; Brissett couldn’t win it outright.We’re not expecting miracles from the starting QB here, but there are enticing pieces to work with.WR Terry McLaurin returns for Year 5. He has hit 1,000 yards in three straight seasons.WR Jahan Dotson brings breakout-candidate ability into Year 2. He led the 2022 Commanders with 7 receiving TDs, adding 14.9 yards per catch.Curtis Samuel brings durability questions. But when healthy, he’s an exciting catch-and-run option.Eric Bieniemy takes over as OC following five years as Kansas City’s OC.The Athletic’s Ben Standig expects more RB screens mixed in with a more aggressive approach.Washington executed only 10 RB screens last year, ranking 25th league wide.Washington added G Nick Gates and RT Andrew Wylie in free agency. This O-line doesn’t profile as great, but it looks improved a year after finishing 26th in Pro Football Focus' pass-blocking grade.Howell could provide added value with his legs. Across three seasons at North Carolina, he racked up 899 yards on 117 scrambles.

Howell enters his second NFL season as Washington's starting QB after beating out Jacoby Brissett for the gig. Howell, a 2022 fifth-round pick, appeared in only one game as a rookie, but showed well by completing 11 of 19 passes for 169 yards and one TD, while adding 35 yards and one TD on five carries. Howell was an aggressive passer during his three years as North Carolina's starting QB, and he added value with his legs in his final season (135-1,104-11 rushing line). Day 3 QBs are long shots for NFL success, but Howell has a very good WR room to work with, so he's worth stashing in dynasty and superflex.