Sam Howell has a lot to prove in 2023. The 2022 fifth-round pick is expected to start at quarterback for the Washington Commanders. While he still must win the job in training camp against Jacoby Brissett, Washington went all-in on Howell this offseason.
Many have criticized the Commanders for going with Howell. Why? Because he was a fifth-round pick. After all, late-round quarterbacks just can’t make it as starters in the NFL, right?
There’s a lot to like about Howell. His arm strength, athleticism and accuracy are all exciting. One issue from Howell during his time at North Carolina was his footwork. It’s an area where Howell has worked diligently to improve.
Of course, no one cares until Howell proves everyone right — or wrong — on the field in 2023.
Howell isn’t the only young quarterback looking to prove himself in 2023. CBS Sports recently ranked all 32 projected starting quarterbacks into tiers. There were seven tiers; Howell fell into Tier 6, which was titled “No Clue, Man.”
The other quarterbacks in Tier 6 feature a pair of former No. 1 overall picks, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, a former first-round pick getting his first chance to start [Jordan Love] and fellow second-year passer Desmond Ridder.
This is basically a “Good Luck” category but I don’t want to dismiss the possibility/upside for some of these guys. Or, to be more frank, I don’t have a clue how 2023 will go for them.
Kyler could go anywhere on this list and could also be his own tier because I couldn’t possibly begin to guess how MUCH he plays in 2023, much less how WELL he plays this coming season. The Cards might very well sit on him knowing they want to move on next year after a full-fledge tank sesh. I wanted to put Howell and Love higher because I think they both possess upside the public is unnecessarily scoffing at, but there wasn’t a spot above that fit and I certainly wouldn’t bet my life on either being a good or great NFL quarterback. Additionally the style of play — including aggressive use of their legs from the position — creates a ceiling/floor level you don’t see from the Tier 5 guys. If both Howell and Love were in the NFC postseason it wouldn’t be that shocking.
Finally, here is some sensible analysis. Howell does have an upside that many are scoffing at, only because of where he was drafted and, let’s be honest, because he plays for the Commanders. How would some view Howell if he were in the same position, with the same circumstances, but the team was the Dallas Cowboys?
None of this means Howell is the guy for Washington. But don’t be surprised if Howell also proves to be the guy for the Commanders.
