How else to open an article about the Washington Commanders situation under center than with John Madden’s famous musing, if you’ve got two quarterbacks, you have none. Such is life in DC, where the Commanders prepare to enter camp with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett set to battle for QB1.
Clearly, Brissett has a vast advantage in experience, starting 48 games across seven seasons. Compare that to Howell, who made one start as a rookie, which came in Week 18 against Dallas Cowboys backups. Where Howell has the edge is that he could still develop. Despite being a fifth-rounder, Howell was well regarded for his deep-ball accuracy, and he has deceptive athleticism.
It feels like Washington wants Howell to win the job. They’ve talked about his potential, and they chose to bypass a quarterback in this year’s draft. So, if Howell can avoid killer errors and shows growth, he should hold the job. If he falters, Brissett could step in – though even then they might take their lumps with Howell for a shot at USC’s Caleb Williams (or another QB) in next year’s draft.
Although Howell wouldn’t be worth drafting, let’s take a quick look at what his presence might mean for Washington’s other skill players, as well as if Brissett’s insertion would make any difference.
The backfield
Brian Robinson Jr.
Robinson missed the first four games of 2022 after being shot during the offseason. He was eased into action in Week 5, but after that he became the focal point of the running attack, averaging 18 carries and 70.5 yards per contest over his final 11 games. Expect him to reprise that role this season, doing a lot of the heavy lifting on early downs. He’s a nonfactor in the passing game, however, so his value figures to remain stagnant no matter who is under center.
Antonio Gibson
After opening last season as the primary back, Gibson fell into a complementary role once Robinson returned from injury. The collegiate wideout could be in line for more work in 2023, given that J.D. McKissic, who caught 27 passes in eight games last year, won’t return. Gibson should be in line to serve as the primary back on passing downs, though the presence of Curtis Samuel, who can operate out of the backfield, could mitigate that to some degree.
Still, at least on paper, Gibson could be a reliable checkdown option for Howell. Brissett had a similar option in Cleveland in the form of Kareem Hunt, but he didn’t look his way all that often.
The receiving corps
Terry McLaurin
Given that he posted a 77-1,191-5 line a season ago with Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz making a combined 16 starts, McLaurin looks pretty airtight when it comes to delivering statistical value. The fifth-year pro has topped 1,000 yards in three consecutive campaigns, and he posted 74 yards and a score in Howell’s Week 18 outing. There’s no reason to think McLaurin can’t make it four in a row.
Curtis Samuel
Injuries effectively ruined Samuel’s first season in Washington, but he rebounded last year, playing in all 17 games and posting a combined 843 yards and five touchdowns. That’s close to what he did during his last three seasons in Carolina when he averaged 795 total yards and 6.33 TDs. With Samuel entering his seventh year, it’s fair to think that around 800 yards and a half-dozen scores represent his ceiling. If he loses touches to Gibson, those numbers might be optimistic.
Jahan Dotson
Dotson started hot, catching four touchdowns in his first four games. He hurt his hamstring late in Week 4, however, and missed more than a month. It took a few weeks to get back up to speed, but he closed his rookie year strong, totaling 21 receptions, 344 yards, and three TDs in the final five weeks — that includes a 3-72-0 line with Howell at the controls. Entering his second season, Dotson looks like a player on the rise, which is another reason to lower expectations for Samuel.
Logan Thomas
The former quarterback turned tight end will be 32 before the season begins and has a lone season of relevance to his credit. The veteran broke out in 2020 (72-670-6) only to suffer an ACL tear the next year and fail to regain his form in the ’22 season (39-323-1). Fully healthy, Thomas should be considered merely a no-upside safety blanket for either quarterback.
Fantasy football outlook
In the backfield, Robinson should offer low-end RB3 value, regardless of quarterback. Gibson is more of an RB4 that could push toward RB3 with Howell. McLaurin is a fringe top-20 fantasy wideout and easily the safest choice among Washington’s skill players. Dotson is more intriguing, capable of pushing into WR3 territory with competent QB play, but he’s best targeted as a WR4. Samuel is only of interest in deeper leagues, and Thomas belongs on the wire in all formats. As noted, neither quarterback is draftable.
