Fantasy Upside
Sam Howell is expected to take over as Washington’s starting QB in 2023 after playing just one game as a rookie. Howell looked solid in his debut, and showcased his legs as he ran for 35 yards and a touchdown in that game. Howell also showed off his rushing ability in college as he ran for 828 yards in his final season. As for 2023, Howell enters with a solid receiving corps featuring Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel. When you combine Howell’s rushing ability with his potential as a passer, you get a potential sleeper option in the later rounds of the draft.
Fantasy Downside
The obvious downside to Howell is his lack of experience. He’s only played in one game, and while he didn’t look bad, he certainly didn’t wow anyone with his 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Howell will also be operating behind a poor offensive line, which 4for4’s Justin Edwards ranked as 28th out of the 32 teams. The Commanders were also a run-heavy team last season, with the 9th-fewest pass completions of any team. There's also the threat of veteran free agency acquisition Jacoby Brissett becoming the starter in Washington instead.
2023 Bottom Line
Howell has the potential to be a sleeper option at QB, especially given his ability as a runner. Our projections have him finishing a little shy of 500 rushing yards. A lot of Howell’s success will hinge on how often Washington throws the ball vs. runs it. If the Commanders continue to be a run-heavy team, then the opportunities for Howell won’t be there. Howell has solid value as a late-round option, especially given our pre-season ranking vs. his current ADP. We wouldn’t trust him as your only QB option, but he’s a good option if you need a second quarterback.
