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On Thursday 27th April, all eyes will be on Kansas City and the NFL Draft.
With some decent, if unspectacular, free agents having arrived in D.C., the Commanders, within reason, are in a solid position to consider drafting for best value player available. This year is one of the more intriguing drafts for Washington in recent seasons. It could be argued that the only near certain pick, and a sprint to the podium, would be if one of the top two tackles is still there at 16.
And, of course, still dominating discussion is the pending change of ownership, with the Josh Harris group leading the pack. If I had a $100 of chips right now, I think at least $95 would be in on Josh Harris and let us hope all is concluded as soon as possible.
Here at UKHTTC we decided to have a chat on some non-ownership matters and instead concentrate on the field.
We welcome back Tony Wheat of Full Press Commanders, who along with UKHTTC founder, Christian Burt, ponder two questions:
Who on the roster needs a big year in 2023?
Who wins the QB battle and is named starter for Week 1?
First up is Tony.
Who needs a big year in 2023 and why?
There are a couple of contenders here.
If Sam Howell wins the job, he has a big opportunity to cement his position as the teams QB of the future. I’m not sure how long of a leash he’ll be given (if at all: see next question!) but if he wins out then Sam will probably only really get one crack at becoming the long-term answer.
However, I’m going to go for an established star who is in a somewhat strange position entering 2023.
DE Chase Young lived up to all the hype in 2020 and everyone thought we’d drafted our own Bosa, Watt or Mack.
However, even before the injury in 2021, questions were being raised about his performances, with accusations of freelancing and playing for himself getting louder. The injury obviously then took him out the rest of that season and all bar the last 3 or 4 games of 2022.
The signs were encouraging when he returned but it’s fair to say that it’ll probably only be this season when we get to see whether he’s the same player with the same explosiveness he had pre injury.
The front office has another couple of weeks to decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option and either way, he needs to play well this year. If the team doesn’t pick up the option, it could be a ploy to light a fire in him in a similar way to what they did with Daron Payne last year (although that was slightly different as his 5th year had already been picked up). Even if they do pick up the option,
Chase needs a big season to re-establish himself as one of the games most promising defenders and earn himself a big long-term deal at the end of his rookie deal.
A big year from Young would be a huge boost to a Defense that coped well without him but would undoubtedly benefit from the return of a premium edge rusher and hugely underrated run defender.
Brissett v Howell, who wins out?
This is a really interesting question.
Ron Rivera stated when he said Howell was entering OTA’s as QB1 (big difference from naming him the starting QB which some people failed to realise) that he would bring in veteran competition.
Ultimately, he’s ended up bringing in probably the best FA QB available.
Brissett played pretty well for 12 games last year in Cleveland and had he been the Commanders QB last year I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say they’d have been a playoff team.
The obvious wildcard in this and the dynamic that’s changed since Rivera said Howell was entering OTA’s as QB1 is the appointment of Eric Bieniemy as OC.
What is his take in all of this? If he’s being handed the keys to the offense, presumably he’ll choose his QB? Does that change Rivera’s initial statement, or will that hold true?
Even if it does hold true, if Brissett significantly outperforms Howell throughout the spring and summer, you’d have to imagine he’d get the start if for no other reason than Rivera needs to win games this year.
Howell clearly has potential and his 5th round status may be somewhat misleading, but he’s started one game and as well as he played, many people will need to see a much more extensive body of work before being convinced he is the long-term answer.
I like the idea of Howell, with his cheap rookie deal, strong arm, mobility, and accuracy that was on show against the Cowboys, and it would be ironic having taken all the high round shots on the likes of RGIII and the late Dwayne Haskins as well as big money FA punts on Alex Smith and Carson Wentz, that the Commanders stumble across a franchise QB late in the draft.
If it’s a close call in the spring and summer between the two, I think Howell gets the nod, and Brissett is known for being a quality teammate, but if there’s a clear margin between the two in Brissett’s favour, Rivera would have to go with him, to maintain his credibility with the locker room.
I have a feeling that Howell will win the job but wouldn’t be remotely surprised if it’s Brissett out there on week 1.
And Christian adds his comments.
Who needs a big year in 2023 and why?
I guess there are two ways of looking at this; it can be personal to that player and his future and salary negotiations/career earnings. It can also apply to a player, who, if they have a big year, will be fundamental to the success of the team.
My choice for needing a big year is Linebacker Jamin Davis, who has the traits to become a key piece of the burgundy & gold Defense.
For many observers, Davis was viewed as a reach when taken in the first round of the 2021 draft. The Front Office clearly viewed the former Kentucky Wildcat as a guy with tremendous athletic ability and speed, and, most importantly, a very high ceiling in the NFL. Therefore, the decision to pick at Jamin at 19, was one with an eye on the longer term.
It can be forgotten that Davis had only played one year of college football as a starter in Kentucky.
For me, LB can be one of the toughest in the NFL to land on your feet, but there were signs in 2022 that Davis was now adjusting to the quickness of the league. Solo and assisted tackles were up, sacks were up, and I fully expect this trend to continue in 2023.
Both HC Ron Rivera and DC Jack Del Rio played the LB position and I have faith in the 24-year-old Davis elevating his game to the next level.
Brissett v Howell, who wins out?
I’ll start by saying that it my belief that the locker room camaraderie in Washington is first class.
With that in mind, I feel that the players will firmly back Rivera whoever wins the QB starting job for Week 1 of the season.
If there is to be a legitimate training camp competition, however, and Sam Howell wins out over Jacoby Brissett; then get excited for the longer-term future of Howell in D.C., as I feel Howell is unlikely to be at the Jacoby Brissett level of play just yet. To beat him out in camp would be a significant sign that Howell might just be the real deal.
The coaches in Washington, however, will fall in love with Brissett in camp.
Coming off his best year in the NFL, Brissett is a QB of high character and high IQ. Cleveland were always going to bench Jacoby when DeShaun Watson was available after suspension, but here are some quick facts: at the time of being benched, Brissett had more yards that Jalen Hurts and a better pass completion % than Josh Allen.
In summary, a true training camp QB competition and I believe Brissett wins out. The strength of the Commanders remains the front 4 across the DL and, therefore, it will be very tempting to start the consistent veteran rather than the guy with the single start.
If, however, the coaches feel that Howell is a genuine long-term starter in the NFL, they might allow some initial bumps along the way and go with Sam.
If pressed to choose: Brissett to start the season under centre for the Washington Commanders in 2023.
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